Gospel
One of the most difficult truths some people hardly ever come to grips with is that the mortal body is outwardly, slowly and gradually deteriorating. However, it is important to know that this natural course is based on a Divine pronouncement in His judgment on man. Man clearly disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden after being warned that “you must never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because when you eat from it, you will certainly die.”(Gen2:17). Satan tricked Eve, Adam’s companion to thinking that “God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened. You'll be like God, knowing good and evil.”(Gen3:5). They ate of the fruit and not only did they die spiritually-losing the spiritual connectivity through which they fellowshipped with God-Man’s physical body was now subject to decay: You are dust, and you will return to dust. (Gen3:19b).
It is worthy of note that when God said “Let us make Man in our own image…” he wasn’t referring to the creation of a being in physical resemblance with him as some people think. Rather, God was saying “Let us make one who will carry our own image, nature, character; one whose lifestyle will be characterized by a reflection of the indwelling seed of godliness.” Sadly enough, man lost that image-he died. The image he now carried was an independent, rebellious and self-seeking nature. The Bible describes such a nature in the book of Roman 8v7 “And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it.” But because of the unprecedented love of God towards Man, God had to devise a restoration plan, such that the image that was lost in the Garden of Eden would be finally restored to Man. Hence, the need for Christ. The significance of the death and resurrection of Christ was that we might have a new life. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 says “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” In other words, the old self is put off and the new self is put on. And the bible further makes it clear that “this new self is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col3v10)
The ultimate question therefore is: have we completely submitted to Christ Jesus as our LORD and PERSONAL SAVIOUR? Can we boldly say “the old lifestyle has gone and the life I now live is a function of the Divine influence on my new man? Are we paying so much attention to the external-the make ups, makeovers, plastic surgeries and trendy looks-while completely ignoring the more important-the state of the inward man? The Apostle Paul made a profound statement in the book of 2nd Corinthians 4v16 in the face of severe persecution “That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day.” Notice the contrast between the state of our outward look (“wearing out”) and that of our inner man (“renewed”). We can only come to this conclusion when we have the assurance of salvation: Being certain that we will reign with Christ at his return and that our mortal bodies, though frail and gradually deteriorating, are containers that house the eternal treasures deposited by God through Christ.
Yisa Samuel
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