Raised in Glory

 Physically, The Bible says that when we die, subject to the disease, decay, and frustration of a fallen world, we are sown in dishonor.  Yet, Scripture promises the Christian, what is sown in dishonor will be raised in glory.  Hear Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 15:

“. . .  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 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 . . . (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).”

A few years ago, my father in law was killed in a terrible car accident.  The casket was closed at the funeral, but we did have a private time of visitation as a family.  I’ll never forget, my son, who was five at the time, asking me, “Daddy, is that grandpa laying up there on that bed?”  It was my son’s first exposure to the awful physical realities of death.

It was a tough time.  Physically, Jamie’s dad was sown in dishonor – – subject to all the suffering of this world – –

But, let me tell you that is not the end of the story – My son’s grandfather knew the Lord – – and, when Christ comes again, he will be raised in Christ with a new spiritual body, no longer subject to the decay and temptations of this world.  He will share in the victory of the resurrection.

Today you may be battling cancer or heart disease or some other ailment that is physically humiliating.  The Bible does not diminish what you are facing, but rather acknowledges that the body is sown in dishonor.

But, if you truly know Christ, if you are one of His, then here is a Word for you.  “. . .  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 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 . . . (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).”