I HAVE A NEW BODY ON ORDER

The last time I posted from the book of Philippians

we looked at those who claim to be Christians, but

their hearts and minds are set only on the things of

this world.  In short, their body has full control and

the apostle Paul tells us they are headed for destruction.

But the very next verses encourages us who have

our hearts and minds set on the things of God and

try our best to live for him.

"But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord

Jesus Christ lives.  And we are eagerly waiting

for him to return as our Savior.  He will take

our weak mortal bodies and change them into

glorious bodies like his own, using the same 

power with which he will bring everything

under his control."  

(Philippians 3:20, 21 NLT)

First, living in a world that is so uncertain and evil
I am encouraged that in truth this world is not my
final home.  I am a citizen of Heaven.  And when it
is all over I'll be with Jesus Christ for ever.

I can consider my self just as those saints of old
who;

"They agreed that they were foreigners
and nomads here on earth."
(Hebrews 11:13 NLT)
That's me brother.

Second, I can be looking forward to the return
of Jesus Christ to take over this old world;

"Look He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him -
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!"
(Revelation 1:7,8 NLT)

That thrills me.  We can look forward to that
great day with joy when the rest of the world
will be terrorized beyond description.

Thirdly, God is going to take this old weak
worn out body of mine and and change it to
be like the resurrected body of Christ.

You are just a kid yet so that might no mean
much to you.  But by the time you get as old
as my wife and I, that can mean everything
to you.

True I do not understand what that body will
be like.  But one time when some of those smart
religious leaders were arguing with Christ about
the resurrection he made this comment about
what our bodies will be like;

"And they will never die again.  In this respect 

they will be like angels.  They are children of 

God and children of the resurrection."  

(Luke 20:36 NLT)

PRAISE GOD.  I have something to be excited
about.  I have a new body coming.

The extra image.  Well, I just could not pass this one up.

WE ARE ON ACTIVE DUTY

We live in an age when many "professing"

Christians do not even know what a true

Christian is.  They "profess" but do not

"possess".

We covered this in an earlier post when I

ask - do you know him, or only about 

him.  That is Jesus Christ.

Bear in mind that the apostle Paul is writing

to the "Christians" here.  Not just God's creatures.

Even a snake is one of God's creatures.

But if we are true believers in Jesus Christ and

have submitted to him making Jesus our Lord,

look at the encouragement below.

First we are citizens of heaven.  This earth is not

our final abode.  We are only passing through.  And

in the passage below Paul in essence is telling us to

live like it.

"Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven,

conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of

the Good News about Christ.  Then, whether

I come and see you again or only hear about

you, I will know that you ae standing together

with one spirit and one purpose, fighting to-

gather for the faith, which is the Good News.

Don't be intimidate in any way by your 

enemies.  This will be a sign to them that they

are going to be destroyed, but that you are go-

ing to be saved, even by God himself.  For you

have been given not only the privilege of trust-

ing in Christ but also the privilege of suffering

for him.  We are in this struggle together.  You

have seen my struggle in the past, and you

know that I am still in the midst of it."  

(Philippians 1:27 - 30 NLT)

Notice that if there is the Spirit of God living

in us we will have to stand up and fight.  After

all, while here on earth we are living behind

the enemies line, i.e. in the Devil's territory.  And

that struggle will often cause us to suffer for Christ.

But notice how the early apostles took their 

suffering for Christ after being imprisoned an

beaten because they stood up for Christ.

"The apostles left the high council rejoicing

that God had counted them worthy to suffer

disgrace for the name of Jesus."   

(Acts 5:41 NLT)

Even the apostle Peter sounds a similar alarm;

"Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary

residents and foreigners" to keep away from

worldly desires that wage war against your

very souls.  Be careful to live properly among

your unbelieving neighbors.  Then even if they

accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your

honorable behavior, and they will give honor

to God when he judges the world."  

(1 Peter 2:11, 12 NLT)

Heaven is to be our final destination, but it

will come with a fight.  But Oh!, the reward that

will be ours then.