Paul provides some valuable insights into what will happen
at our transition from these earthly ‘tents’ (flesh bodies) to our heavenly
‘building’ (spiritual, eternal bodies), 2Cor 5:1.
First, we must know that there are bodies for
different purposes, for different environments, and
which emit different levels of glory. Read the following passage to
get the context,
1Co 15:39-43 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
2Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
There are a few things this verse tells us.
First, Satan, through subtlety and craftiness will beguile people
by enticing or luring them into a form of godliness, 2Tim 3:5, which appears
genuine and sincere, but has slight deviations from the truth, consequently nullifying
the grace of God and diluting the doctrine, Gal 5:3-4, like a little leaven
that affects the whole lump, Gal 5:9.
Religion is one of the primary lures that deceives many. Religion
focuses on an outward form of piety. All the rules, demands, holydays,
observances, traditions, rituals, and practices, are all just a performance system
that glorifies the flesh, or the outer man. There is such complexity in some of
these religious practices that the Bible is utterly lost in all the theology and
identity promoted by that institution.
These 9 epistles, from Hebrews to Revelation represents a spiritual curriculum for the maturing and endurance of believers in the Jewish Kingdom program, through the tribulation, and into the Millennial Kingdom.
Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins
Having come through many of the key points in the foundational book of Romans, and having learned from Romans chapters 6 and 7, and from the lessons learned by the Corinthian and Galatian churches about the perils of living by the flesh or by the law, we are now reaching a milestone in our journey of learning to grow in spirit and maturity in Christ.
Of course, we should not press forward without ensuring that we practice the things we have learned. We need to ensure that our learning is not just head-knowledge, but that it is truly edifying the spirit of our mind, that it is becoming a lifestyle, not just a fleeting burst of revelation that is soon forgotten again.
There's a methodical process of edification that occurs in Paul's epistles, taking you from the wrath of God in the book of Romans, to the faithful Body of Christ in Thessalonians who are patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come. From Romans to Thessalonians, the whole outlook of life and faith has changed.
Rom.1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
2 Thess.3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
I've wondered around in blindness for 40 years, not as a lost soul in this world, but as a saved Christian in the denominational church 'system', —or should I put it, 'institution'. I'm tempted to say, "what a HUGE waste of time!", but within me, I sense instead, a gratitude for those experiences that kept me in touch with basic Christian practice, with fellowship, and that sheltered me from the world outside. Much more so, I am so grateful to the Lord that His love found me; that the gospel of His cross has produced in me the faith necessary to trust in Christ alone for my eternal salvation, having quickened my spirit, infusing it with life and an eternal hope.
First, our sanctification (being made pure, being set
apart) is our fixed, secure and true standing before God, "in Christ."
This is our positional sanctification … "Being in Christ." So,
in one sense, and in fact, every true believer in Christ has already been
sanctified, or made pure to God, by the work of Christ and the operation of the
Holy Spirit the moment we were saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
1 Corinthians 6:11 ...and such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Concerning believers in the grace gospel, Paul says these two things: (1) you are in Christ, and (2) Christ is in you.
"To whom God would make known what
is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" – Colossians 1:27-28
The phrase "Christ
in you" is found in Col
1:27, and in the next verse every man is presented perfect "in Christ Jesus" (Col
1:28).
What
do these seemingly opposite but similar sounding statements mean?
What's the difference between 'you in Christ' and 'Christ in you'?
