The Imperishable Life

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:42-48

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 Corinthians 15:50, NIV

IN WORD

Flesh and blood lives in God’s Kingdom. That’s indisputable in light of the New Testament’s references to the Kingdom in present tense and Jesus’ instruction to pray that the Kingdom would come on a very material earth. But flesh and blood—natural, fallen humanity without the Spirit of God dwelling within—can never inherit the Kingdom. We may observe the Kingdom, and we may even live among it and enjoy its benefits. But we can’t inherit it as the family estate unless we’re actually part of the family. And we can’t be part of the family unless we are spiritually raised to new life.

That’s why God’s restoration project ends with new heavens, a new earth, and people with new, resurrected bodies. The perishable cannot inherit the imperishable. Just as we can’t put new wine in old wineskins without bursting them, separate new paint colors that have been mixed from old ones, or put popcorn back in the kernel, we can’t entrust the eternal Kingdom to perishable, unredeemed flesh. We can’t integrate the Kingdom into existing governments (though the Kingdom can have an impact); we can’t live out heavenly visions with human wisdom; and we can’t fill our relationships with divine love if we don’t have it flowing within us. The Kingdom comes from the throne room of God. The substance of this world cannot fully contain it.

IN DEED

Seek to live beyond your means—not financially, but spiritually. If you’re like those around you, your dreams are too small, your plans are too limited, and your desires and resources are too fleeting. The Kingdom is bigger than you, and that’s good. Your flesh-and-blood humanness is not enough to receive it or express it. Only the divine nature within you can do that. That’s the nature you must live from to see the Kingdom realized in your life now and forever. Bring your future into your present. Cling to things that last.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 9:16-17

I thank you, Lord, that you have so set eternity within my heart that no earthly thing can ever satisfy me wholly.

JOHN BAILLIE