Dying to Change
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
Theme: Paul goes out of his way to illustrate the stark change in us after resurrection.
Key verses: “But someone may ask, ‘How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have? What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed” (v. 35-38). “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies…” (v. 42-44a). “What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven” (v. 46-47). “Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man” (v. 49).
What I believe God said to me: Welcome back! I know you’re glad to be home, back in your comfortable and familiar surroundings and back with your loving wife and family. Your training tour was a success by all accounts. Of course, we both know I shielded you and NLW from some potential issues and fall-out. My grace was and still is sufficient. Use this down time to rest, refocus on me and listen more than talk. As for this passage, bottom line is you have no idea what awaits you on the other side. Paul was trying his best to be shockingly clear: What you are now bears little resemblance to what you will be in glory. Oh, you will be the same person, with memories and the same personality I formed in you. But your form will be completely different. You just have to trust me on this one. Take an acorn, for example. Is there any possible way you could ever imagine a huge oak tree sprouting from that little seed? It’s the same with any seed. What it will become is far greater and more spectacular than that seed could ever be. And it must be buried and die before the new form can take shape. I know you get discouraged about your aging body. Don’t be. Instead, be thankful you still have life and movement and breath. I will continue to use what is wasting away to prepare you for glory to come which will never fade. Stay the course. Keep your body in the best shape you can, and trust me to keep it going for as long as I have need of it.
What I said to God: Thank You, my Father and Friend. You knew exactly what I needed to hear today (as You do everyday). Please forgive me for allowing my flesh to rule. I choose to reckon myself to be dead to me and alive to You today. I choose to be thankful for the life and breath in me. I am grateful I still have the energy to do a 6-week training tour. I still have fire and vision for the future. Only You could give me such hope and life and strength.