Immortality

Recently I've been checking the book of 2 Timothy in the Jita language. I love this book! Paul is awaiting his execution in a Roman prison but he encourages Timothy to focus on the gospel and endure suffering and be strong in God's grace. Listen to Paul's celebration of the gospel in 2 Timothy 1:9-10,

God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

The entire passage deserves careful attention but I've been particularly struck by the final section about what Jesus accomplished. Jesus "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

{I know, right? It sounds like a comic book superhero.}

If you already think the gospel is stunning, get ready to be even more amazed.

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus abolished death. Not only that, he also gives life. And not only that, he also gives immortality.

I love the good news that Jesus abolished death. It means he rendered death ineffective. He shattered the power of death. It's good news because we all know that the wages of our sin is death (Rom 6:23). But when Jesus died and rose again, he destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb 2:14). It's done. We no longer have to fear death. And we have the massive hope that when Jesus returns he will even destroy death itself (1 Cor 15:26; Rev 20:14).

But that's not the only good news. Jesus didn't only abolish death, he also gives life. Jesus himself is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). He gives us new birth and new spiritual life (John 3:1-8; Rom 6:4). He renews our hearts and minds (Eph 4:23-24). He puts a new Spirit inside of us; his own personal Spirit (Ezek 36:26; John 14:16-17). He fills our new life with joy and hope and peace (Rom 15:13).

But that's not the only good news. Jesus didn't only abolish death and give life, he also brings immortality. Are you ready for this? We.will.never.die! At least not spiritually. How could we? We are in Jesus now, and death no longer has dominion over him (Rom 6:9). Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and God can't die (1 Tim 1:17, 6:16). But even if we die physically, we know that we will be resurrected physically when Jesus returns (John 5:28-29, 11:25-26). And when Jesus returns, we will live with him forever with resurrected bodies that are no longer capable of suffering decay or death (1 Thess 4:17). In fact, our new bodies will be glorious, powerful, spiritual bodies, just like Jesus' body (1 Cor 15:42-44; Phil 3:21). Paul describes the mystery of immortality in 1 Cor 15:52-57,

We shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's thank God for the good news of immortality through Jesus Christ. And then let's allow the Holy Spirit to show us how this massive hope of immortality should transform our lives today: marriage, parenting, finances, suffering, relationships, church...everything.