"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting" O grave, where is thy victory"
1 Corinthians 15:54
From your birth to your death there is a transformation that takes place on the outside that all see as it pertains to your growth as far as height, puberty and physical features… Seeing someone at the age of 10 is completely different than seeing them at the age of 25, there are a lot of things that will change throughout the course of one's life that are visible changes… Today, we read about changes that come through the molding and perfecting of God which was set in place by the Lord Jesus Christ… These changes are internal and are not seen until our physical body returns to the dust from which it came… Understand today that we are clothed in corruptible things, we are mortal beings and the scars of sin are visible upon our lives… Each step you take as a Christian in advancing your knowledge and submission to the Lord brings you closer to your body of immortality… Being mortal means that we are earthly, worldly or simply human… We make mistakes, we make bad decisions and we are on a vessel charted with a course leading to hell… This body you are in isn’t adequate for heaven, it won’t suffice and the growth, how ever painful it is that you are going through now is preparing you to step out of the mortal corruption into your heavenly garments… As a child, one of the most trying times in our lives is when someone (parent of other) tells us to “wait”…
When that word is uttered to us often times we become anxious uneasy or retaliatory desiring to have our way or obtain the resolution we want immediately… In waiting we must be patient and know that other things must take place or time must elapse for us to get where we desire to be or obtain what we want… Paul writes this letter to the church of Corinth to teach about the true victory that we anticipate… Many Christians are expecting miracles and prosperity as soon as they accept Christ as their personal Savior, some begin to lose heart whenever a trial or storm approaches their door; however, we must take notice of what it is that Paul says today and how it relates to us… We often hear people recite this verse about the victory that comes in the Salvation that we receive; however, it is important that we understand and remember the way in which this scripture begins… “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then…” Victory does await all those that call upon the name of the Lord, but we must go through the refiner’s fire and the purification process… Often times we talk about being victorious, but the question that should be asked is how your transformation is coming along… Are you able to give up the things in your life that you don’t need, are you able to trust the Lord at all times (emphasis on “ALL”) and are you willing to let go when it hurts… The saying that “…death is swallowed up in victory…”will not be uttered unless you have been clothed in the garments of the Most High… This means you will see some things, you will experience some things, you will go through some things, but you know that your perfect attire awaits… Death will be swallowed up when your victory overcomes it… You will lie down, but in Christ this is the beginning of your rise… This body that we currently reside in is temporary, this physical establishment that we have will not see the gates of heaven nor will it even be caught up in the clouds…
This transformation that must take place in our lives is giving up the things of this world, letting go of the physical and relying on the spiritual… We can only gain victory over death by believing in Jesus Christ and accepting His offering on the Cross… The bible teaches us that death is certain, but when we realize that we have a home not made by hands eternal in the heavens we realize that the sting of death is lost, the concealing of the physical body in the ground doesn’t mean much when we know that we were formed from the dust of the ground… When we receive a call that someone has passed or funeral arrangements are being made it stings us to the core; however, what Paul is saying today is that we all have a journey to complete upon this earth and if we are of the household of faith we know that death on earth means life forevermore and when we see it in its true form it doesn’t hurt to see someone go on to be at rest and peace with God… Understanding that death on this earth is a time to rejoice when you know you are in the body of Christ allows you to close your thoughts just as Paul closed this verse; “O death, where is thy sting" O grave, where is thy victory…"
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