| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Salvation past, present, and future” Our Bible verse for today: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (CSB) Our thought for today: “It is determined in this lifetime” The consummation of the salvation process happens in two stages, both of which occur after the death of the physical body. Stage one occurs at the time of death when the spirit is released from the body and goes to join God in heaven. At that time, you will be a spirit being (2 Corinthians 5:1-6), and at that point, you will have the spiritual stature that will be yours for the rest of eternity. The second stage occurs later, after the second coming of Christ, at which time all believers will receive their resurrection bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:52). (We will think more about the resurrection body in a future devotional). Life in heaven will essentially be a continuation of your life on earth. Your eternal life with God began the moment you placed your faith in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. The physical death of your mortal body simply results in a change of address. Your abode shifts from earth to heaven. There will be many differences between your life on earth and your life in heaven, it will be a great improvement, but there is a direct connection between the two. In his helpful little book, “The Doctrine of Salvation,” Darrell Robinson explained it this way, “Believers will enter heaven as the same persons but as transformed persons … the persons we are at death or at the second coming of Christ we will continue to be in heaven. This life is the time for developing Christlikeness in character. All of God’s children will be true children of God and will share the same eternal life, but we will not be of the same spiritual stature. Capacity for God and for spiritual experience is an important factor for enjoyment in heaven. Maturing in Christlikeness is central in our developing a capacity for enjoyment in heaven. A Bible professor illustrated this point by comparing the Christian life to containers. One person, having developed in Christian maturity, has become like a gallon container. Another has developed a life like a pint container. In heaven each will be filled to overflowing. Each fully enjoys heaven according to their capacity for spiritual appreciation.” The transition out of this life and into the next is where all the stages of the salvation process meet and converge. Sanctification leads to consummation and the nature of the consummation is derived from the process of sanctification. How you live in this life has a direct impact on what eternity will be like for you. Jesus taught this truth in several places in the gospels, and tomorrow we will look at one of those. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
| Copyright © 2025 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571 |
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 