stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 3:21)

I recently started exercising…again.  When I begin to establish a routine, it seems to be interrupted, mainly by fried foods and sweet desserts.  Did you know stressed spelled backward is desserts? You can thank me later. I try to run, bike, exercise, and eat healthy. I’m not as disciplined as I need to be, and as I get older, these good habits seem to take longer to be effective. Look at running, for example. I cannot run as fast or far as I used to, it takes longer to recover, it doesn’t bring as much enjoyment, and positive results seem elusive. While this body ages and wears out, there is hope!

There is a body that will never grow old, wear out, get sick, or die. You may wonder, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” (1 Corinthians 13:35). One day, Jesus will transform our lowly bodies into heavenly bodies. Philippians 3:21 reminds me that Jesus has “the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control.” In the previous verses, Paul reemphasized his imperfection and inability to achieve it on this earth while striving to continue to be like Christ in every way. It is Christ who grows and strengthens us spiritually. It is Christ who also transforms our physical bodies into glorious ones. Paul takes a moment to remind the Philippians that while will suffer with Christ (1:29), face hardships (4:11-13), and die (1:21), part of eternity in heaven includes a new and perfect body.  

The “power” (3:21a) that Paul references is Jesus’ resurrection power. One glorious day in eternity, Christ will raise believers’ earthly bodies to the same likeness, glory, and immortality of His resurrected body. Not only will we live with Him forever, but we will also enjoy unlimited spiritual blessings at God’s right hand. Christ’s resurrection power conquered sin and death and will provide our new heavenly bodies the capability of enjoying God unhindered through eternity (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58). 

Can you imagine a body that never tires, ages, sickens, sins, or dies? Earth is not our heavenly home, and this body is not our permanent housing. It will one day die. What hope we have in Christ’s resurrection power! “But if there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ is not risen” (1 Corinthians 15:13). These new bodies won’t be for our vein pleasure or selfish desire but for the eternal ability in a New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21, 22) to enjoy deeper fellowship with God. We will experience greater praise of God without falling away because of sin. What a glorious body with which to praise a glorious God!

Questions for the Head (Think)

• What do you struggle with most in your earthly body? How does an eternal body change your perspective now?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Take time to think about what you will do in heaven in your perfect body. How will this affect your worship?

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Thank God for your future eternal body by committing to Him how you will use your earthly body for His glory.