We have, as Paul says, a firstfruits of the Spirit. We have an earnest, a pledge, a foretaste of that which is to come.

But our physical body remains dead because of the sin that dwells in it.

Because there is resurrection life, the Life of Christ, in our inward nature, while at the same time our body is dead because of sin, we are to live according to the Life of Christ in our inward nature. We owe our physical body nothing that we should live according to its appetites and passions.

If we choose to live according to the appetites and passions of our physical body we lose the eternal life that was given us. Then, when the trumpet of the resurrection sounds, we will not be changed. We have lost the life within us that would have made alive our mortal body.

Of all the things the Christians of America need to learn, probably the most important is that the day of redemption is near. They already have the Spirit that is to raise them dwelling in them, but if they do not live after the Spirit of Life they will not be made alive at the coming of the Lord.

They will be the one left in the bed or in the field. They will be as the foolish virgin against whom the door was closed. They will be as the seed that grew up and then died because it was choked out or had no roots.

The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is already dwelling in you. If you choose to live in the impulses and passions of your body that life will be crowded out.

If you hope to attain the resurrection to life, the redeeming of your body, you must sow to the Spirit of God. This means you must pray, read your Bible, gather with the saints as you have opportunity, serve, give, seek the Lord for His plan for your life. You must give attention to this.

I know you are terribly busy. But if you do not give attention to the new life that is in you it will leave. I don't care what anyone says, the New Testament declares you will reap corruption instead of eternal life!

This is not because God hates you or His grace has failed or anything of the sort. It means that whatever you sow you are going to reap. This is an unalterable law of the Kingdom of God. Ask Jesus if you don't believe me.

In the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians Paul said that as in Christ all die even so shall all be made alive in Christ. This is referring to your body. It goes on to say, Christ, the Firstfruits, and after that those who belong to Christ at His coming.

Paul is saying that while you have a portion of life now, your actual restoration to life, as God views life, will take place when Christ comes and redeems your body.

To be continued.