January - 29
A PHYSICAL SALVATION
"Just as we have borne the likeness of [Adam], so shall we bear the likeness of [Jesus]." 1 Corinthians 15:49
When I served as a local church pastor, I often visited elderly members in the local retirement community. On her apartment door, one of my church members had hung this sign: "Growing Old Isn't for Wimps!" In my visits, I grew to appreciate the difficult truth behind that humorous saying. It takes courage to deal with failing joints, cancer treatments, and the forgetfulness of advancing dementia.
But we seldom talked only of the aches and pains of growing old. We looked beyond the pres¬ent to a gospel hope that was deeply physical. The el¬der¬ly people I visited looked forward to the day when they would "bear the likeness of [Jesus] the man from heaven."
In those words we find more than a promise of an open door to heaven after we die. Paul declares that our personal future holds a physical resurrection like Christ's. Yes, we will be raised with what Paul calls "a spiritual body," but that doesn't mean a body made only of spirit—as if our resurrection body were ghostly. Remember, the risen Savior enjoyed a meal of fish with his friends (Luke 24:40-43). Paul is referring to a body empowered by the Spirit of God—a body like Christ's that transcends the limitations of this present life.
There are no half-measures to salvation. Jesus will restore you—body and soul—for eternity with him.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for limiting the scope of your redemption. Grant us the delight of looking forward to a future in which we are restored completely to live with you forever. Amen.
当我作堂会牧师时，经常探访教会中年长的退休人士。其中一位会友在她的公寓门前挂上这句标语︰「年老不是为软弱无能的人而设的！」经过多次探望她后，我开始明白这句带幽默感的话蕴含着不简单的道理。要面对关节退化、癌症治疗和老人痴呆症恶化而导致记忆力衰退，是需要勇气的。
可是，我们很少只谈年老所面对的各种病痛和苦楚，我们的眼光超越现在，看到福音带来的盼望是和肉身有密切关系的。我所探望的老年人都期待那一天他们「在天上有属 (耶稣) 的形状」。
今日的经文指出，我们不但得着死后可进天堂的应许，保罗更宣称，我们将来会有一个复活的身体，好像基督复活的身体一样。是的，我们将会如保罗所说，带着「一个属灵的身体」复活，但并不表示这身体只是个灵，彷佛我们复活的身体是个鬼魅。别忘记，当日复活的救主与祂的朋友享用了一顿有鱼的晚餐呢（路加福音24:40-43）。保罗所指的，是一个拥有神的灵的身体 —— 这个身体好像基督的身体一样，超越现世种种的限制。
救恩是彻底的，耶稣必重建你 —— 包括你的身体和灵魂 —— 叫你永远与祂同在。
祷告
主啊，求祢赦免我们限制祢救赎的范围。求祢叫我们欣然期待未来，到那日能被彻底重建，永远与祢同活。阿们。