Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Resurrection of the Dead (continued))

Beloved, in continuance of our theme entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead,” from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series – the great apostle Paul had a desire to know him (Jesus) in the power of his resurrection and fellowship of his suffering. Being made “conformable unto His death” would motivate a desire to attain the knowledge of how Jesus can “resurrect the dead.” Paul goes on to say that at the time of the “resurrection” our vile bodies shall be changed, “that [they] may be fashioned like unto his [Jesus’] glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able…to subdue all things unto himself” (Phillipians 3:10-11, 21). Beloved, this means that the greatness of God’s power shall be manifested when the “resurrection” takes place. That’s when all the world will know just how mighty our God really is.

Precious Ones, it is my prayer that God will help us to cherish the hope of the “resurrection” and contend with our enemy in order to help others attain unto it. Remember, Paul said, “we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, [a] house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Corinthians 5:1). Beloved, Paul’s knowledge of the resurrection of the dead gave him the confidence to maintain his hope and desire for that day. He did not desire so much to be unclothed (to die), but to be clothed upon (to have new life), that “mortality might be swallowed up [in] life” (II Corinthians 5:2-5). There seems to have been but one thing motivating this saint (Paul), and that was the resurrection.

Chosen Ones, God wrought us for the resurrection. Beloved, it is up to us to see that we lose not that which we have wrought. When you have time this week, read these scriptures: II Corinthians 5, II John 8, and Phillipians 3:12. Beloved, if we fail to attain to the resurrection, Christ has died in VAIN for us, all our work is vain, and we are yet in our sins. However, Beloved, I don’t want to be lost, nor do I want Christ to die in vain when it comes to my soul, and you shouldn’t either! Beloved, this was all in the purpose of God, that we should hope in the “resurrection.”

Children of God, Jesus taught us that our greatest rewards will come at the “resurrection.” Jesus said, “thou shalt be blessed; for they [the world] cannot recompense [reward] thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just [the Rapture of the Saints]” (Luke 14:14).

I will write more on this subject next Sunday. Until then, know this,

I absolutely adore each of you in Christ.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy