Incorruptible

 

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable [aphtharsía - incorruptible]. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable [incorruptible], and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable [incorruptible], and this mortal must put on immortality [athanasía - without death]. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable [incorruptible], and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.      1 Corinthians 15:50-57

Romans 8:20-21 says that creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. When Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden, God cursed the ground (Genesis 3:17), so man became subject to that curse until there would be freedom through the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Romans 5:12  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Since the fall, mankind has been subject to death because of his corruption (sin). 

The Change

Paul was given amazing insight into details surrounding the rapture of the church and the changes that would take place in man in the above passage (see also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Everything associated with the corruption of man would be left behind so that he would live in immortality in a perfect state and incorruptible, with no sin, no death, and no corruption. "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.” In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body; it is raised an imperishable [incorruptible] body; 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. The transition from natural body to spiritual body must travel through resurrection. 

 

For we know that if the earthly tent, which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed, in this house, we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed, while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.                    2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Man's earthly tent represents not only his physical body but also everything associated with his natural existence, including human reason and wisdom (James 3:15). The spiritual man longs for his freedom from the burden of his earthly existence to experience eternal life in all its fullness. As Job laments in Job 14:14-17, "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle, I will wait until my change comes. "You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands. "For now, You number my steps; You do not observe my sin. "My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You wrap up my iniquity. Death would be like an honorary discharge or a changing of the guard. A person continues to exist after death, for he is transferred from one condition to another. In the meantime, You number my steps, meaning God counts his steps as a sign of His care. In Job 31:5-6, “If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hastened after deceit, let Him weigh me with accurate scales, and let God know my integrity.” The pledge of the Holy Spirit anticipates an inheritance and a higher quality of life prepared for each believer on the other side of the natural life and resurrection. 

Receiving Mercy

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to His great mercy, has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable [incorruptible] and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.                   1 Peter 1:3-5 

Peter understood that the believer’s access to the Father was through the mercy exemplified by His Son. 1 John 2:2 tells us that Jesus is our mercy seat (hilasmos), the propitiation for our sins. In 1 Peter 2:10, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Paul spoke clearly on the importance of mercy concerning Jews and Gentiles when he wrote in Romans 11:30-32, For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.  Both Peter and Paul acknowledge that salvation is a free gift, motivated by God’s mercy and love, and must be received through Christ’s sacrifice. Any effort on man’s part to earn salvation in any way is connected to the natural man and not the spiritual man and corrupts the perfect work of Christ. 

Citizenship

 

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again [anothen - from above], he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.    John 3:3-6 

The new birth, as described by Jesus to Nicodemus in the above passage, is characterized by a spiritual birth, that is, by the Holy Spirit, and comes to the believer from above or from heaven. This relationship originates from heavenly places and defines the believer’s life both in the present life and the life to come as Paul recognizes that the believer’s citizenship is in heaven while those of the world (enemies of the cross) set their mind on earthly things (Philippians 3:19-20). Barnes Notes explains it this way:

 

The idea is that there are two great communities in the universe-that of the world and that of heaven: that governed by worldly laws and institutions, and that by the laws of heaven; that associated for worldly purposes, and that associated for heavenly or religious purposes; and that the Christian belonged to the latter—the enemy of the cross, though in the church, belonged to the former. Between true Christians, therefore, and others, there is all the difference which arises from belonging to different communities, being bound together for different purposes, subject to different laws; and altogether under a different administration. There is more difference between them than there is between the subjects of two earthly governments. 

The believer’s connection to his citizenship is directly related to his mindset.  For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). The incorruptible relationship gives the believer the strength and ability to walk with a holy God. Watermark, a contemporary Christian artist, wrote the following words to the song “Incorruptible:” 

Not Redeemed by Corruptible Things

 

Incorruptible, indescribable

Salvation's calling when I was longing…

Now, You're the strength that holds my life

With a love that will never die and never fade like the flowers…

It is a love that stands forever!

 

Oh, I am not redeemed by corruptible things

Not by silver, not by gold, and not by aimless tradition

But by the blood of God's sacred Son Jesus …

Oh, You alone are my living hope, and my inheritance is…

Incorruptible

 

Incomparable, inconceivable

Your plans for me shall always be…

And for the day that You're revealed

My heart is forever sealed with the promise of mercy…

And the hope of all Your glory!

 

Oh, sacred Son, Who paid the price

Oh, may I live a grateful life

That magnifies Your name forever!

 

Glory of God

Knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory [doxa] of God.         2 Corinthians 4:14-15 

There is a vital link between the quality of a believer’s relationship with God and God’s glory. It was for this He called you through our gospel that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Paul saw clearly that one’s relationship to Christ was a wonderful connection to His glory in Colossians 1:27, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Spiros Zodhiates explains the meaning of doxa as follows:

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory

 

Basically, in the Bible, [doxa] refers to the recognition, honor, or renown belonging to a person. When we read in Rom 3:23 that they "come short of [or lack] the glory of God," it means they are not what God intended them to be. They lack His image and character. The predominant meaning of the noun dóxa in Scripture is recognition. It may denote form, aspect, or that appearance of a person or thing which catches the eye, attracts attention, or commands recognition. It is thus equivalent to splendor, brilliance, glory attracting the gaze, which makes it a strong synonym of eikœn, image (Rom 1:23). Dóxa embraces all which is excellent in the divine nature, coinciding with God's self-revelation. It comprises all that God will manifest Himself to be in His final revelation to us (Luke 2:9; Rom 5:2; 6:4; Rev 21:23). God's glory revealed itself in and through Jesus Christ (John 1:14; 2 Cor 4:6; Heb 1:3).  Spiros Zodhiates

God has chosen to make known this mystery to New Testament saints. He willed in His sovereign mercy to reveal His eternal purpose with all its glorious riches. It is an amazing thing that this was being revealed among the Gentiles, whereas previously, God's special revelation was to the Jews. In Ephesians 2:13, But now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Those having no hope and without God (Ephesians 2:12) have been given a glorious hope, which is Christ in you [Gentiles]. Because of the riches of the glory, believers are indwelt by Christ, the hope of glory. They are thus "in Christ," and Christ is in them. Because of Christ, believers look forward to sharing His glory. 

Not Disqualified

Everyone who competes [agonízomai - to contend for victory, straining every nerve to the uttermost] in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable [incorruptible]. Therefore, I run in such a way as not without aim [adelos -  without attending to the prescribed marks or lines]; I box in such a way as not beating the air; but I discipline [bring into subjection to hardship] my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified [adokimos - unworthy, unapproved].              1 Corinthians 9:25-27 

The Apostle Paul was passionate about the call he received from his mother's womb to serve the living God and bring the gospel's good news to the Gentile world. He was more than willing to suffer much for that highest of purposes. An athlete and a boxer characterize the terminology he uses in describing his commitment. His priority is the heralding of the gospel to anyone who will listen. He recognizes that his running is with a particular goal: winning souls to Christ. The goal is the ultimate, incorruptible prize. 

But remember the former days when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.            Hebrews 10:32-36