THE BEST IS YET TO COME
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
So it is written: 'The first man Adam became a living being';
the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the
natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the
earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who
are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of
heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we
bear the image of the heavenly man.”
Naturally we get used to life as it is. Without clear teaching
and Holy Spirit inspired faith, we assume that there will be no change, except
further spoiling or decay. It is Satan's lie. The glorious truth is that the
first man (Adam) and the second Man (Christ) are radically different.
Adam, who was a part of God's creation, sinned; and death
entered the world. But Christ took responsibility for the sin of every human
being and died to pay its punishment. Adam was created from dust, but Christ
came down from heaven - in order to lift repentant sinners into the presence of
God.
All those who reject Christ remain shackled to the earth, like
prisoners on a sinking ship. They share the future of the corrupt world and
cannot see above its horizon. But those who welcome Christ and receive His new
life are like Him in seeing the world with all its weariness as temporary; they
look forward to heaven and receiving a resurrection body which can never change
or decay.
The best is yet to come! That is why believers have hope and
joy; that is why our temporary difficulties are far outweighed by the prospect
of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). And our hope is not just a dream or fantasy. We
know it is true because Jesus has risen from the dead and has promised that we
shall share in His glory (John 17:22). So when we are burdened by the weariness
which belongs to the 'earthly man', remember that we now belong to the
'heavenly Man'. One day the best will be revealed … and for that we wait with
joy.
Heavenly Father. Thank You that Jesus Christ came from heaven
to bring all those who trust Him back home to His heaven, in glory. Forgive me
when I have allowed the shackles of earth to hold me too closely to this world
with its sin and pain. Please help me to be confident in the 'heavenly Man' and
keep looking to Him, expecting His presence, His guidance and His strength now,
and His glory when He returns. In His Name. Amen.
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