“and when this corruptible may have put on
incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall
be brought to pass the word that hath been written, 'The Death was swallowed up
-- to victory” 1 Corin 15:54 (Youngs)
Jesus said people in his day who had died were
“asleep”. The resurrection didn’t change
that status, but it was captured for “awakenings”. The word “immortality”
speaks of a status that can’t be compared to any other, but we don’t
automatically walk into immortality when our spirit is awakened and we are
called out of the world. There is a journey in experiencing new life in
and thru Jesus Christ and it is challenging, but the view gets
brighter. This article will expand on the richness of what we have been given!
Imagine the richest, most decadent dessert you can think of (like homemade French Silk Pie). It is just about impossible to take multiple bites due to the high level of sweetness, and our teeth almost hurt from the intensity, causing just a few bites to satisfy for the moment. It is luxurious and ultra-satisfying. This is what eating and digesting these wonderful truths can be compared to. False scenarios that we were incorrectly taught are so extremely different than the Real truth. The old is a totally dead arena, all concocted by carnal, religious minds. The Truth and its reality dwell on mountain tops of breathtaking beauty and happiness, in the Kingdom of Love.
The current concept about life and death in fundamental Christian circuits has people going to heaven or hell when they “die”. Anyone reading here should be of a maturing spiritual status, knowing there is no literal fairy tale place called heaven (even though the reality of Heaven is real). Neither is there a destination of eternal torment, which is not possible with our wonderful, loving, selfless Creator! That “out there” location of a FINAL place where there are no challenges has nothing to offer an intelligent creation like Adam, from beginning to end (Adam 1 & Adam 2). That was never the plan. God is keeping us here, on terra firma, where our lives will continue to be enriched in DIVINE Life. Salvation isn’t the end. His provisions for us haven’t even entered the minds of carnal men. (1Corin 2:9) God’s plan is exquisite and offers continual hope and encouragement.
That brings me to the reality of our condition before we are spiritually activated. When we enter this realm of death and darkness, we are totally susceptible to “erosion”. We are in a state of corruptibility. Our life as humans has spiritual progression, and we have assurance that we can walk into the next stage, a state of incorruptibility (which will evolve into immortality). We will all experience expansion from the first status. No one will be shorted, because God never fails. But I must be honest. Getting to the land of the incorruptible can vary for all of us, concerning time. In all these things, we “walk”.
The Apostle Paul spoke of incorruptibility and immortality arising from it. First things first. Understanding is needed on what being incorruptible is all about. "Corruptible" is an adjective that describes something that is capable of being morally compromised, degraded, or rendered impure. Therefore, being incorruptible means just the opposite. This change happening to us is all about spirit/soul issues and not physical manifestations. It’s invisible stuff. The condition of the soul in its surrendering to God’s will is the subject matter. (Note: While Paul did write in 1 Corin 15 about a new body style, it was written to a carnal church that needed truth for the future. That subject was addressed in another article. *)
The way we look, how we are showing age, and if we are susceptible to diseases are not what being incorruptible is about. Having an attractive body that is devoid of spiritual maturity is like receiving a beautifully wrapped present that--when opened--exposes an empty container. Maturity comes from time and experience, and that reality will render a physical look that respectfully compliments the seasons of trials endured. Our outward body suits are a temporary visage, and the illusion of aging (when our spirit is ageless) will have its day of unmasking.
One of Paul’s missions was to expound on secrets that would include becoming immortal, because the death and resurrection of Jesus opened the door to that. But immature humans cannot be given such a powerful gift. God is a wise father. Many followers of the Lord are following from a distance, relishing freedom and selfishness, (and some of it is accepted as normal). These are still walking in a corruptible state. Learning, growth, and submission are to be added to their existence to aid in putting on the garment of incorruptibility (per the opening scripture). An understanding of becoming incorruptible to inherit immortality is what this article is pointing to. And remember, immortality is a treasure of the Kingdom, a gift of Love from the King, and we will never lose the potential to get there.
Ephesians was written by Paul to equip the Church and bring them to maturity. (Eph 4:11-14). Ephesians has been referred to as “Paul’s third-heaven epistle” (A. T. Pierson), and secrets are contained therein. One of them is in his final words in the letter: “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen” (Eph 6:24, KJ) The Greek word for sincerity is aphtharsia, which is translated “incorruptibility”.
Paul was the perfect example of walking in an incorruptible state. It was evident in his words and attitude, obviously reflected in the epistles. And, he hadn’t “passed” (or died) yet, so his living had not manifested immortality that we could see. Because being immortal means we can’t die. And if we can’t die, we cannot be fatally affected by anything (diseases, injuries, etc.). Apparently, there were some walking in an incorruptible status in Ephesus, for Paul would not have spoken it otherwise. Since Paul didn’t salute persons in this way in other epistles, it stands to reason that most were still struggling with a corruptible nature. In Galatians he offered stern warnings. In 1 Corin 6:9, he called out specific sins that they were giving place to. Yes, we have the Holy Spirt within us, but our growth comes as we walk out the reality of letting God process our carnal nature and resurrect Himself in it!
To walk in incorruptibility means we have become overtaken by God’s love, his mind, his agendas, his ways. We walk in disagreement with all that Adam #1 throws our way. We battle daily because we have not become robots. We still feel all that humans feel, experience temptations and disease and tragedy, and live totally as a human, but trusting God in all things, trusting the daily Holy Spirit leadings inside of us. As an incorruptible human, we do not agree with the false mindset of the 1st man Adam: seeing death, darkness and sickness as REAL. The reality of our true status isn’t taught from pulpits! Jesus overtook death and darkness for all, so the battle we have is in our minds. We believe what we see and what we see is a façade. Life lives in us, and we can passionately deny the dark view, looking beyond it all as overcomers through faith in the One who killed death!
All human souls are connected, a “corporate soul” is what I call it, so we are affected by this HUGE forcefield of belief in death and dying that most of mankind is a puppet to. I must refer to an excellent example of our reality as it played out in the sci-fi movie “Forbidden Planet”:
A powerful invisible
monstrosity lives on the planet and can destroy anything it touches. One scene
produces a visible showing of the entity.
Something that is otherwise invisible creates terror in anyone who
realizes it lives. But the power of it comes from the MIND of one man.
Ultimately, he realizes he is the source of that killing power, seeing it is
only real because he believes in it. He stops believing and denies its
presence, and it is reduced to nothing!
What a showing of our belief in death and darkness, allowing
us to be bullied until we stand against it. We deny it in word and walk, believing
the true power of the invisible (our soul and spirit), the power of God’s
Christ as victor. Our belief in Jesus will conquer the lies. And I speak from successfully
living it. I have walked it and
therefore can talk it. It is Truth!!
Incorruptible followers of the Lord have Him as the center of their lives. We have a solid RELATIONSHIP with Him, connecting daily! When I have calamities of any nature, I keep my eye on Him. I honor and acknowledge his sovereignty and total control, knowing that all is going as it’s supposed to for the moment. I remember Peter failing to believe that Jesus walking to him on the water (!!) was less powerful than the storms raging around him. But the Lord delivered Peter from his doubt, and I've stood on that scenario many times to re-enforce my faith and trust. Life is a “one-day-at-a-time” experience in true spirituality. Forget about tomorrow, for it never comes. It’s always today! There is always assurance of God’s care for us.
Walking in incorruptibility is walking in victory. Our attitudes stay beautiful, showing ourselves as living stones, living examples for others to be encouraged by and have hope in. We exhibit love and tolerance of humans around us. And if we get judgmental, the Holy Spirit will convict us and we will check ourselves, having compassion for lives we don’t understand. There is an obvious spiritual maturity in what I am speaking of. Young and impetuous “Christians” are still exhibiting corruptibility. So are older “followers” who have become complacent with ease, and who have been lulled to sleep by fairy tales from the pulpit. Whatever the reason, they are denying themselves a treasure available to enhance their lives right now!
I spoke earlier about this journey taking time. We are crucified with Christ, and that must show itself in how we think, act, and talk. As I said earlier, we don’t automatically become incorruptible, but we are to embrace this truth like a garment we want to melt into. Our hearts can cause the pace to quicken, according to our desire to excel in spirituality and according to the amount of love we truly have for God. Love for God should grow, and He doesn’t force us to draw near; however, without an ongoing, CONSISTENT relationship we will stay corruptible (carnally inclined). Truthfully!
Just like a literal fire, approaching God will burn us if we are not in agreement with him, so people don’t get close. But God fire will only purify us and empower us. This is the spiritual meaning of 2 Thes 2:8: The brightness of His coming inside of us will slay the lawless one (Adam 1). I have experienced it, and there is nothing more wonderful than being constantly aware that God is with you and in you!
Remember the parable that Paul spoke of in 1 Corin 3:11, concerning people building upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ, with no other foundation being possible. That foundation is our salvation, established sure and solid, and nothing can move it. Men can build on the foundation: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. (v12). There comes a day when each man’s work will be tried by fire, revealing what sort it is. (v13). Verse 14 goes on to say that whatever remains after the fire is applied will determine rewards to the person building. Some will not get rewards, but they will still have Jesus as their Savior, and they will never “pass” permanently. Death is an illusion, so walking incorruptibly and becoming immortal still awaits down the road.
The above parable is exposing the difference between walking carnally and walking in incorruptibility. It’s about adding more of God (silver, gold, precious stones) to our inner man--our life. Walking as a spirit-led human, showing forth the Christ in the earth. Showing it in what we do, in how we speak, in how we interact with others, in setting examples of the correct way to handle everything! The unconverted, the newly converted (awakened), and the carnal converted are watching us! We bring heaven to earth in how we live, speak, encourage and love, and that is what being incorruptible is all about. We walk out God in the earth and show his Kingdom.
Peter had a good word concerning our becoming Christlike and
striving to become incorruptible, and it highlights incorruption coming from
the enduring, living word of God:
“Your souls having purified in the obedience of the truth
through the Spirit to brotherly love unfeigned, out of a pure heart one another
love ye earnestly, being begotten again, not out of seed corruptible, but
incorruptible, through a word of God -- living and remaining -- to the age;
because all flesh is as grass, and all glory of man as flower of grass; wither
did the grass, and the flower of it fell away, and the saying of the Lord doth
remain -- to the age; and this is the saying that was proclaimed good news to
you.” 1 Peter 1:22-25 (Youngs)
Speaking about Jesus Christ, wearing crosses around our necks--these are
positive advertisements of our belief.
But we must draw near to him. He wants us closer to be changed inwardly,
to enter that new status of incorruptibility. While the Kingdom of God (Him) is
here among us, corruptible Christians are still short of walking in it. Carnal they
are, and childish, complacent, and sometimes self-righteous, walking out life
no different than any unconverted, un-awakened Adam #1. So many are not walking in the power allotted
to Kingdom citizens; lovers of Jesus, no doubt, but following Him from a
distance, for many reasons. One of the biggest is not wanting God to get too
controlling of their lives. But since God never fails, it’s going to happen
anyway.
God is even now restoring creation and corruptibility will have to be overtaken by incorruption. Getting closer to God means we will get uncomfortable with the darkness we are still comfortable in. Drawing near God is drawing near His consuming fire, for he wants to replace our weaknesses with his strengths. We must die to our self-life, for there lies the secret to living in the Kingdom. And I must add that Father can at any time empower his people to be more than they had arrived at. It probably happens a lot. It seems that with all He has given us we would be more willing to yield to Him. Consequently, the journey to immortality can be short or long, according to our attitude and according to God’s will (Eph 1:11).
We are always loved by God, and that will never change. We always have our foundation. But our reward (for our inward decrease and his increase) is incorruptibility and immortality. I believe there is a very short space between those two. I believe immortality has been reached with others besides Jesus. But that is God’s business and a sacred secret!
If “passed” persons are “sleeping” (according to Jesus and many scriptures), they must be dreaming. And dreaming can become solid. Becoming incorruptible and immortal establishes the dream as a reality. Those who have passed will be returning, if they aren’t already here, being sanctified beyond our view (understanding). The future is as bright as the promises of God. Eternal life lives in our space, awaiting our entry. There is much to do in eternity. “Redemption is not the end, but only a recovery program.” **
*” Romans 8,
Sons of God, & the Finished Work”
**” The
Ultimate Intention", DeVern F. Fromke (pg 32)
