‘Changing’ Time

1 Cor 15:47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 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. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

‘Potential’ is a word often employed in life. We have great hope for certain things or individuals based upon their ‘potential.’

‘Potential’ indicates the best something or someone can possibly be. This is the basis for the hope that rests in the potential of something or someone – they are at their best. Absolute best. The bestest best. Better than you can imagine.

The “change” Paul speaks of here is like that. A change that comes to the life of a follower of Jesus Christ that makes them the best they can possibly be. A full realization of the potential anyone may have as God rearranges them to conform to the environment of heaven. (Whether through physical death, or through the rapture of the church.)

What an awesome thought for us: At some point in time we will literally undergo a metamorphosis from earth-bound to heaven-bound. The earth-bound body is corruptible. It is enticed by sin and the desire for the things of the world which bring corruption. The heaven-bound body is enticed by the Spirit of our Holy God in Christ, perfect in desire as holiness replaces corruption, and eternality replaces aging and death. Thusly our potential is fully realized.

For the follower of Christ, perfection in this life is not the issue. Following Christ IS. Jesus is the Author of salvation, and His demonstration to us is that He has the power to raise the dead. This is metamorphosizing power. The same power which raised Christ from the dead. The power to raise all of us in His Image. The power to erase the past in every way. The power to bring about the fullest and greatest ‘potential’ any life can experience. The only issue is: Will you receive this potential? (You must seek it.)

-  Pastor Bill