4.4 – Awaiting our Adoption

Today’s readings: Col 3.3-5; Rom 8; 1 Cor 15.41-58

What a tremendous time last night was at the Fridge. It was so great to hear the Word of God and to see how God has given us a way to deal with sin in our flesh as we strive to live according to HIS LIFE! I pray that you heard the Voice of God speaking as the Word was opened last night, and that God has helped you identify some of those thing in your life that need to be MORTIFIED (or killed).

What I would like to do today, is just look back at a few key truths from last night and see a little more of what scripture says about these truths. If you would, get your Bible out and open, grab a pen, a pad, and let’s dive into the Scriptures this morning as we listen to God’s voice.

A few key truths to remember:

• When we were saved, our DEAD SPIRIT was made ALIVE, and our LOST SOUL was SAVED. (see Eph 1 & 1 Cor 15)
• When that happened our SIPRIT changed: becoming alive and able to openly communicate with God. Our SOUL changed: becoming redeemed and placed into Christ. But our BODY DID NOT CHANGE. Nobody has ever changed color, height, weight, or anything else at the moment of their salvation.
• Because we now have a LIVING SPIRIT and a REDEEMED SOUL that are inside this SAME OLD SINFUL BODY, there are struggles! Big Struggles!

This morning, I want you to see this body as Paul did. Check out what he called it in Rom 7.25! This was not something that he loved, but it would almost seem like he was disgusted by it. Turn with me as we see how he looked at this body that was limiting his soul and spirit from being what God wanted for him…

Romans 8:

• [v8-10] He explains the situation…a living spirit that desires God, and a body that is given to sin. A constant war.
• [v19-23] the WHOLE EARTH is longing for the time that God will come for His family. All of creation is looking for that day when there will no longer be the bondage of sin on this earth.
• [v.22-23] that longing causes a GROANING AND MOANING inside because of the very deep desire to be united with our God in a way that will present no blockage. Right now, the best we can do is to talk through a glass wall, but one day (when sin is completely removed) we will be able to EMBRASE Him…not just talk, not just listen, but EMBRASE! Oh how I wish God would help me grow in my personal longing for that day when we will EMBRASE! Wow.

I Cor 15.41-58:

• [v.41-44] Just like a dirty little seed is sown into the ground, and in time it comes to life as a beautiful rose, so will our resurrection be. We will die (be sown) in these earthly bodies dirty from sin, and be raised in life in beautiful sinless bodies that will be unhindered in our ability to love, serve, worship, and praise Him!
• [v45-49] God will one day give us a glorified body. This body is not because we deserve it, or so that we can just be better than we are now and enjoy life more…no no no, that’s not the point at all! Those glorified bodies are so that we can be closer to Him. God cannot be in the presence of sin. So by completely removing it from us, He makes it possible to be even more with us!!!! What a savior!
• [v.50-58] One day this CORRUPTED body will be put off and we will put on an INCORRUPTABLE one. Why? Because of verse 50 – this corrupted BODY OF SIN cannot inherit the kingdom, the place where God is! And after all isn’t that the purpose of our salvation…to be brought back to Him!?!

Today, let us be people that GROAN and LONG for that day when we can FULLY EMBRASE our Lord. No more sin obstacles. No more lustful battles. No more selfish motives. Just PURE LOVE with our God. Students – please – hear the hope in these verses and open your hearts to LONG for the ADOPTION of the children of God when this CORRUPTIBLE body shall be raised INCORRUPTIBLE to spend eternity in the presence of our God. Amen.