REDEMPTION

“Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the REDEMPTION of our body” – Romans 8:23

It is important to relate the triune nature of man to Christ’s Mission of REDEMPTION. The Lord Jesus in His first coming as Redeemer came to restore the spirit man back to God, to keep us from going to Hell. The “New Creation” or “New Birth” occurs only in the human spirit. Thereafter, we become responsible to renew our minds with the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will help us with this but not do it for us: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom.12:2). We are also responsible to present our body “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Rom.12:1b). Eventually Jesus will return to redeem man’s body even as He once came to redeem man’s spirit, to complete the Mission of Redemption (Rom.8:23).

The scriptures testify: “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1Cor.15:52). Again: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1The. 4:16-18). The human spirit is immortal by virtue of Redemption, even as God’s Spirit is! Until Christ comes to complete our Redemption, the outer man, the body, will continue to decline or “perish”; while the inner man, the eternal spirit, will continue to be renewed day by day (2Cor. 4:16).

Beloved, you are not a body or mere flesh and blood. You are a spirit, created in the image and likeness of God, the Creator of all spirits. Appreciating this truth and the reality of redemption are vital to a successful walk with the Lord. You ARE a spirit, you POSSESS a soul and you LIVE in a body. Believers who do not grab hold of this most basic of all Biblical revelations unnecessarily live in fear and torment. Fear of death and dying and torment concerning loved ones who have departed their earth suits before them. In the midst of the Crisis of the Ages, Almighty God gave His only Son that all who believes would not be lost eternally. God is faithful. His Word is true. His word says that to be absent from the body is to be instantly and effortlessly in His presence: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). To depart these earth suits and to be with Him is far better (Phil.1:23).

Meanwhile, there is work to be done to ensure that everyone in your circle of influence and responsibility is well prepared to depart their earth suits when the time comes. We shall spend Eternity based on how effectively we obey God and spread the Good News about Jesus – the only Savior of humanity. The brief time we’ve been granted on Planet Earth is like a Probationary Period. Once that’s over, pronto – the Judgement Seat of Christ, where we’ll have rewards either given or taken away, all based upon our actions and attitudes while living on Earth. Some will even receive crowns which represent positions of power and tremendous privilege. It is vital to our eternal existence to not live our lives in this season selfishly. If Jesus is not yet your Savior say, “Lord Jesus, come into my life and save me!” You will be glad you did when the time comes to lay down your imperfect earth suit. Remember, you are a spirit being. You possess a soul and simply live in that body.