Lesson 10

Paul continues with his lesson on mankind’s mortal creation, then contrasts to how we become spirit through the power of Jesus. Made of physical dust, those who believe will be clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, become like him and inherit the Kingdom of God as immortal spirit beings.

1 Corinthians 15:45-50…51-58 International Standard Version
45 This, indeed, is what is written: “The first man, Adam, became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual does not come first, but the physical does, and then comes the spiritual. 47 The first man came from the dust of the earth; the second man came from heaven. 48 Those who are made of the dust are like the man from the dust; those who are heavenly are like the man who is from heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the likeness of the man who was made from dust, we will also bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
50 Brothers, this is what I mean: Mortal bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what decays cannot inherit what does not decay.

Paul explains those alive when Jesus returns will not die but be transformed, just after the dead ones are resurrected into spirit life. Those changed into immortal spirit at the trumpet blast will finally be able to mock death and the grave.

51 Let me tell you a secret. Not all of us will die, but all of us will be changed— 52 in a moment, faster than an eye can blink, at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will be raised never to decay, and we will be changed. 53 For what is decaying must be clothed with what cannot decay, and what is dying must be clothed with what cannot die. 54 Now, when what is decaying is clothed with what cannot decay, and what is dying is clothed with what cannot die, then the written word will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up by victory!”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 Now death’s stinger is sin, and sin’s power is the Law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus the Messiah!
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that the work that you do for the Lord isn’t wasted.

How does this description of transformation give you encouragement to overcome the world’s obstacles? What actions can you take to accelerate the Lord’s work?