Prospect of Resurrection 16/10/2021

Why is Paul able to rise above his circumstances which most, if not all, of us would consider dreadful. He has talked about being treated as garbage and scum. He has compared his lifestyle to the way the Romans humiliated and degraded slaves and groups they despised (including Christians ). He says that he is in constant danger of being killed. He is not in despair. He has not given up. Why not?

because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. [2 Corinthians 4:14 NIV]

It is the prospect of future resurrection which has motivated and inspired him. I would like to draw your attention to a key phrase in this verse - 'raise us with Jesus.' Paul had personally witnessed the risen Jesus in heaven. He had absolutely no doubt that the one who had been executed by the Roman army was now alive again. And this is his hope. He sees that he will share with Jesus in his resurrection. It is the vital link with the risen Christ which made all the difference in his life. He also spoke about this union with Christ in his resurrection in his letter to the Colossians. He speaks about this in the past tense, the present tense and the future. Here is the extract from this letter:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. [Colossians 3:1‭-‬4 NIV]

So Paul is saying that in the past - they have been raised with Christ (probably referring to baptism which is mentioned in the previous chapter - Colossians 2:12). He then says that in the present Christ is seated at the right hand of God and he gives two instructions to them linked to this. Firstly, they have to set their hearts (or affection) on things above because of this important link with the risen Christ. Secondly, they have to set their minds on things above (again because that is where Christ is) and they have not to be preoccupied with earthly things. But, he speaks about a future link and we need to be constantly reminded of this. He looks forward to the time when Christ who is our life will appear (known as the parousia) - and we are linked with him in this future appearance - we will also appear with him in glory.

We are going to share his resurrection and his glory. Surely that is a boost to our flagging spirits today. Surely that is an incentive to holy living and Christian conduct. So all of this future blessing is because of our vital union with Jesus. This is not about us - it is the product of God's grace in our lives. The preposition 'with' means 'in virtue of our union with' Jesus. Here is the important truth for today - if you are a believer and have committed your life to Jesus, you are 'in Christ' and this description is eternal. It does not end at death. All those who are in Christ remain in Christ whether they are still alive or have died. But the fact that Jesus has died and risen from the dead is the pledge or guarantee of future resurrection. Because he lives, the believer will live also. Here is a quotation from a commentary:

"The communion of saints cannot be destroyed by death. They are for ever with their Lord." [R.V.G Tasker: II Corinthians IVP page 75]

Picture by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash