Affected and Unfazed

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

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 3:17-21 NLT

Paul gives us a vision for what lies ahead.

Reflection

Every one of us is affected by a body that has a limited lifespan this side of heaven. I am 65 as I write this. Statements I mocked in my youth now have some truth to them:

• When kneeling to pray, do it with someone else so that when you are done, you have someone to help you get up.
• Growing old requires endurance and courage that the young do not understand.
• “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it, it doesn’t matter.” Mark Twain.

Paul wants us to understand that the transforming power of Christ is comprehensive: mind, soul, spirit, and body. As it relates to our bodies, we are to understand this about our future: He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own.

This glorious transformation will happen on the resurrected side of death, as it did for Jesus.

Paul also wants us to see the divine power of Christ: using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. This future with Christ is true and beautiful—a glorious body and everything under the loving divine authority of Jesus.

Encouragement

We are affected by deteriorating bodies. This is an indication that the end of the beginning is near. Our future in Christ includes glorious bodies and the restoration of everything under the divine authority of Christ. Let’s live unfazed in Christ, even though we are affected by many things.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the promise of a future glorious body following our resurrection from death into life forever with you. I’m looking forward to that. Thank you.

Thank you for the promise of a day when everything is restored under your divine power.

Help us to keep an unfazed focus on you, even though we are affected by many things.

In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen

– Ed McDowell, C.E.O.
Warm Beach Camp Ministries