1 Corinthians 15:42b-49 (NRSV)
We bear Christ's image
What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.
DEVOTION
Wow! Today’s scripture passage is just good news on top of good news! In essence it is contrasting the experience of the first man—Adam, with the last man—JESUS.
Whereas Adam was perishable, sinful, weak, fleshy, and dusty (giggles), Jesus is imperishable, honored, powerful, spiritual/eternal, and heavenly (hallelujah!).
Now, let’s play a game! Which of these two men would you most like to resemble? (You have 10 seconds to decide!)
BEEP! (Time for your answer…)
Jesus? Did you say Jesus? Now, that’s the right answer! Good for you! (laughing…)
Before we put all of our hope in Jesus, we were perishable, sinful, weak, fleshy, and dusty. As a result, we produced the fruit of the same in the form of sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. (Galatians 5: 19-21)
After putting all of our hope in Jesus we were made—by the grace of God—imperishable, honored, powerful, spiritual/eternal, and heavenly. Although we have done nothing to be granted such lofty gifts, it is because God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins and gift us with eternal life. As a result of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice, we are allowed to bear the image of Christ into the entire world!
What does it mean to bear the image of Christ? Well, for one thing it means we will produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These attributes are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.
It also means that we make a commitment to do our best to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves!
As we love and serve God with all our hearts and souls, we will more and more accurately reflect the image of Jesus into the lives of our non-Christian friends.
This idea of reflecting the image of Christ can be best understood by looking at the sun and the moon. The moon is just a hunk of rock, and as such it has no light of its own. It only appears to be luminescent because it is reflecting the light of the sun!
Like the moon, we have no light of our own, but we reflect the light, love, joy, and peace of Jesus into the lives of our friends, family, and neighbors!
Listen, dear ones, our non-Christian friends probably do not go to church, study the Bible, or read online devotionals. Therefore, the only ways for them to be introduced to Jesus are through our words or actions!
Oh my! This is a very important point my friends! I have heard it said that as Christians “we may be the only Bible some people ever read.”
Mahatma Gandhi, the great Indian freedom fighter and peace activist once said, “I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ. If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today.”
OUCH! I believe that it is true that if all Christians would act like Christ, the whole world would be Christian today! (Help us, Jesus!)
What a high calling we have to bring and bear this GOOD NEWS into the entire world! If you currently feel that your life is meaningless and worthless, you could not be more wrong, my friend!
In your words and actions, God wants to use you to bring Jesus into the lives of those who need Him most!
Our Jesus is a loving, compassionate, and humble servant to all! He willingly went to the cross and died a horrific death, all to reconcile our relationship with God, forgive our sin, and gift us with eternal life!
When we put all of our hope in Jesus, we are filled up with the Holy Spirit, which gives us the heart of Christ for the world. As we learn to listen and obey the still small voice of Spirit, we will find that we are gifted with many opportunities to be the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus in the lives of our neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers.
People need to become aware of God’s great love for them!
We can share this GOOD NEWS with the entire world, if we will only allow Jesus to live, and have His way, in us!
Hallelujah!
Do you want Jesus to live in you? If so, please pray with me:
Holy God, I am so tired of my “dusty” life. I’ve tried things my way and it just hasn’t worked out well! Today, I’m putting all of my hope in you. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day. Please forgive me of my sins and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I want Jesus to live me! I want to walk, talk, and live like Jesus. Have your way in me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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