Sown in weakness but raised in power.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21. NIV.

Our body is lowly in nature is beyond any doubt. Last year I remember I was bedridden with substantial body pain, fatigue, and coughing. Finally headed to see a doctor because the condition was getting worse. The doctor diagnosed strep throat and prescribed antibiotics. Strep throat is not a very serious illness and praises the Lord we have remedies. Other types of diseases are more dangerous and life-threatening. However, a temperature of 100+ or tooth pain would teach a lesson about how weak our body is.

The Lord put today’s insight into my mind. How lowly our bodies are! The more advanced in age, the more you recognize this truth, don’t you? Your body gets weak, tired, and exhausted soon. You see, we now have a lowly body prone to sickness, disablements, frailty, weaknesses, and temptations. Also, this body gets worn out as we age. Finally, it will be dead with no life left in it.

1 Corinthians 12:42-43 says Christ believers body are sown in perishable but raised imperishable; sown in dishonor but raised in glory; it is sown in weakness but raised in power. What does it mean? It means our bodies eventually perish. They return to dust. However, believers in Christ are raised imperishable-never to decompose and return to dust. It is now sown in dishonor. However beautifully and elegantly we plan the ceremonial service, the casket is going to be placed under the earth in the dirt where worms and bugs reside. Nothing more dishonorable than that event. However, a believer in Christ would be raised in honor. Moreover, it is sown now in weakness- full of weaknesses and limitations. However, it would be raised in power.

You see, beloved, the permanent solution to the problem of sickness, body aches, fatigues, and death has already brought to us by God in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our today’s Bible insight says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” This is one of my favorite Bible verses. The beginning word “but” stresses the difference between the earthly and sensual people and the heavenly/spiritual who truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the focus of attention of the true believers in Christ? They eagerly wait for the return of Lord Jesus who will transform their lowly bodies to become like his glorified body. The earthly body has many limitations. However, the resurrected bodies do not have restrictions. The resurrected body of Lord Jesus was a heavenly and glorified body. Our resurrected bodies would be like the risen and glorified body of Jesus Christ. (1 John 3:2(b)). Some of the uniqueness of the resurrected body as we see in the Bible was the ability to go inside the room although the doors were locked, power to defeat the law of gravity, ability to eat and drink, appear and disappear traveling long-distance instantly, perfect body with no sickness, health issues, no tears, and no death.

Bible says when Christ returns those who already died believing in Him will be resurrected instantly with new glorified bodies and would join their spirit already in His presence. The believer’s bodies- buried, burned into ashes, or whatever happened-will be risen with glorification. The living believers in Christ, when He returns will be instantly transformed to glorified bodies and caught up to the sky. This is called the rapture of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). You may ask the question, Sam, do you believe this? Why shouldn’t I believe it? God who called into existence all that we see from nothing by His powerful word is fully able to do it.

This instant and miraculous transformation of bodies happen because of the exertion of Christ’s power that enables him to bring everything under his control. Remember Jesus said to the disciple, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18). John 1:2 says this about Jesus, “He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life,…” It is by, and through Jesus, all things were made, and He is the source of life. Now it is the power of Christ that holds this universe together (Colossians 1:17(b). He being the creator and sustainer of all exerts his power to transform our lowly bodies to become like His glorious body.

It is incredible the Son of God, Jesus Christ took a lowly body like ours to pay off our sins on his body and free us from the curse and bondage of sin and punishment to grant us eternal life with him in heaven, with heavenly/glorified bodies. This is why I love the Gospel and want to share it with as many people as I could. I want to take as many people as I could to heaven with me. Bible says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Beloved, as you age, your body condition would get worse because of its lowly nature. However, remember God already instituted and promised a permanent solution for your weariness, fatigues, sickness, and death. By the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, He will transform your lowly body so that your body will be like his glorious body.

Beloved, did you get the citizenship of heaven as of yet? The builder and architect of the most amazingly beautiful and magnificent city called heaven is not the world’s most famous iconic builder or architect. Bible says in Hebrews 11:10 says the architect and builder are God Himself. You can get the citizenship of heaven and reserve a place there right now by accepting Christ, the Son of God, as your savior and Lord.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to get the citizenship of heaven. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again for all of my sins. He paid off my debt of sin with His blood. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. I repent of my sins and turn to you now. Lord, I know you have a beautiful plan for my lowly body. I rejoice in your plan. Thank you for the promise and hope in you. I thank and worship you. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”