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Wednesday, August 16, 2023

The prize of our upward calling (part seven)

7. The seventh and final step is the time of evaluation and reward

 Finally, those who reap everlasting life will have a glorified body dependent on their degree of glory, because,” we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” And, just as there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1Corinthians 15:41-44).

It is important to note that, the growth and development of the spiritual body is as literal and practical as that of the physical body, for example, the proper development of the physical body requires air (oxygen), water, food, exercise, entertainment, rest and sleep and naturally, we are what we eat.

In like manner, the development and growth of the spiritual body requires, life which is Jesus Christ Himself who stated categorically; “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” He also said; “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” His blood is real drink, His flesh is real food, the study of His word is the exercise and development of the mind, the celebration of the Lord’s festivals the source of our entertainment and prayer and fasting the source of our rejuvenation and in the spiritual realm, we are what we think, for as a man thinks in his heart so is he.

This shows how literal and practical is this life in the spirit which is the real life which God ordained for man even before the foundation of the world, so let us be practical in living our lives in the spirit and stop deceiving ourselves in simply having a sort of a sanctimonious sentimentalism but still living our lives in accordance to our sinful nature. These times of ignorance God has overlooked but now commands all men everywhere to repent.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

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