Obtaining A Better Resurrection
(week 27/09)
Olubi Johnson
Hebrews 11:35 KJVR Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
1 Corinthians 15:22-23 ESV (22) for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (23) But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:41-42 ESV (41) There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. (42) So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.
It is vital for us as Christians to understand that the degree of the purity of our Christian lives in this life will determine the order and the glory of our resurrection.
Now the measure of the life of God that was sown into our hearts: will, mind and emotions; and our physical bodies in this life time will determine the order and the measure of the glory of our resurrection.
2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV for God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 ESV (10) always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (11) For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
In fact, the resurrection is simply a harvest of the seed of the measure of the life of God that is in our physical bodies when it is buried or raised from the dead (for those who are physically alive (1 Thess. 4.17) at the time of the resurrection):
John 6:40 ESV For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.“
John 6:54 ESV Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Consequently, what we do each day: in prayer and walking in the spirit is either adding to or taking away from the order and the glory of our resurrection.
So, we should live each day to obtain a better resurrection than we would have had the day before: so our endeavouring to obtain a better resurrection should be a daily, present continuous effort!
We should live daily with eternity in view:
Colossians 3:1-5 ESV If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (3) For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (5) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Philippians 3:10-11 AMP (10) [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (11) That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
Philippians 3:14-21 ESV (14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (16) Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (17) Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (18) For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (19) Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (20) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, and (21) who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
So, let us daily seek to obtain a better resurrection by praying, walking in the spirit and doing the good, great and greater works of God!
In our article next week, we will see how to do the good, great and greater works of God by making the right choices of the heart.
