“There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars—for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit’. . .And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly.”
I Corinthians 15:41-45, 49
Only the Resurrection power of God Himself could do this.
Transformed.
That’s the essence of today’s Manna about the miraculous transformation that happens when we’re born from above. The initial change is in one’s heart and mind as one becomes “a new creation” (II Cor. 5:17). But, from that time until the end of our sojourn here on earth we are (or should be) daily being changed from “the image of the earthly to that of the Heavenly.”
What a glorious Promise and assurance! Hallelujah!!
Think of it:
When we’re born, we have but one nature: The nature of Adam. By nature we “walk according to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:2a)—i.e., we think and act like everyone else does. Likewise, from birth, without even thinking about it, we “walk according to the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2b)—i.e., yielding to the “wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11) by automatically giving in to the “lust of the flesh, eyes and pride of life” (I Jn. 2:16; Eph. 2:3).
The result?
We become “children of disobedience and wrath” (Eph. 2:2c, 3c). Like Cain (Gen. 4:5-6), our minds are “at enmity (hostile) toward God” (Rom. 8:7). We sing “I Did It My Way” and woe to anyone (even God) who gets in our way or tries to keep us from doing so.
But, then a marvelous thing happens.
Like Paul on the road to Damascus, we’re “blinded by the Light” (Acts 9:1-9) of God’s “Life, Light and Love” (Jn. 1:1-18). Suddenly, we’re changed from the inside out by the reality of Who Christ is. And, slowly, but surely, we’re transformed through the process of sanctification, moving ever close to that time of eternal Glorification, where we’re finally changed into the “image of the Heavenly”—i.e., the likeness of Jesus Himself (Phil. 3:20-21).
All of our lives (particularly after the new birth) we realize how “corruptible, dishonorable and weak we are.” At times we’re prone to cry out at Paul did that day: “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:24).
But, be patient, weary Pilgrim. . . “The Morning I can see”. . .for the time’s a-comin’ when you’ll be changed. Unlike earthly farming where you plant a wheat seed and reap a harvest of wheat, through the new birth and our union with Christ, this earthly body—so filled with death and decay, wrinkles and worries, fears and failures, etc.—shall one day be glorious changed by God’s Power. And, praise His Holy Name, “when we see Him, we shall be like Him” (I Jn. 3:2). And, won’t that be wonderful and worth the wait? Glory!!!
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated August 9, 2009
