Even our fleshly knowledge of Christ must be transformed into a spiritual relationship.

There are many today who receive Christ and then are not willing to follow God through the wilderness of transformation. They are not willing to let go of the present world. They remain unchanged. Although they bear the name "Christian" they continue to be self-seeking souls in animal bodies.

What happens to such an untransformed individual when he or she dies?

He goes to the area of the spirit realm that is determined by the kinds of relationships he has with God and people. He does not have a loving, joyous, peaceful relationship to God that is eternal in quality. Therefore he cannot enter the joy of the true servants of the Lord. He cannot enter the fellowship of those who have had created in them the eternal life that alone is capable of eternal love, eternal joy, eternal peace. If he were permitted to enter Paradise he would bring confusion, unrest, trouble.

Whether such untransformed souls will be given a chance after they die to develop pure relationships we cannot say. The Scriptures do not say much about what happens to the untransformed believer after he or she dies, except that the lukewarm and careless will be punished.

What will happen to him or her in the Day of Christ?

In the Day of Christ the untransformed human will be raised and judged according to his actions in the world—the actions that have proceeded in large part from the kind of relationships he has had with God and with people. Perhaps the one whom the Lord Jesus deems worthy of salvation will receive a body suitable for his level of spiritual development and then be placed in the area of the Kingdom where he can grow and develop in godly relationships.

The self-centered, rebellious individual will be thrown into torment. Were he to be allowed into Paradise he would create turmoil. Paradise quickly would become like the world of today.

We lose so very much when we cling to our self-life! We gain so very much when we are willing to allow God to transform us!

It is God's will that each of His elect be changed from a self-seeking soul in an animal body into a spiritual man who dwells with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in an incorruptible, eternal body. God is ready to exercise judgment on our personalities so that everything that is from Satan is removed. Satan is the personification of self-centeredness, self-seeking, self-love, self-will.

Our new personalities will be fashioned from the Substance and virtue of Christ and filled with eternal life. Jesus gave of Himself so we may live.

God's new creations will enjoy a loving, joyous, and peaceful relationship with God and loving, joyous, and peaceful relationships with the other members of the Body of Christ.

From the vantage point of love, joy, and peace we shall go forth into the creation as the very image of the invisible God to bear fruit and exercise dominion throughout the ages of ages.

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21) (from Relationships)