We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4:7)
A PROMINENT THEOLOGIAN told the story of a time he met with an elderly friend of his who was suffering and dying from a multitude of painful aliments. The medications were losing their effectiveness. Both of them knew he had very little time left. But the older gentleman had lived his life placing his faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ and was confident of his eternal, heavenly destination.
When he was asked by the younger theologian how he was doing, the older man paused and said, “Well, I ain’t got nothin’ that a good resurrection won’t fix.” This, the theologian reminded us, was not escapism, but rather solid, “rubber-hits-the-road” theology.
The apostle Paul rejoiced in the fact that “Though outwardly [he was] wasting away, yet inwardly[he was] being renewedday by day.” Because Paul placed his hope in the historically undeniable resurrection of Christ, he was absolutely confident of his own resurrection—where his body would be transformed from perishable to imperishable.
If we are confident in how it’s all going to end (with our resurrection), then it really doesn’t matter what happens to us in this life. We can endure daily trials, even the physical ones, knowing that Jesus is going to take care of all of it when He returns. There’s nothing that can happen to us that a good resurrection won’t fix.
Prayerfully meditate on what significant problems your resurrection will resolve.
Doug Schmidt is a freelance writer and editor and is on staff with his church as a small-groups coach.
