... because as he is, so are we in this world. (I John 4:17)

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (John 6:57)

"He that eateth me, even he shall live by me."

Whoever is living by Jesus is not living in covetousness. Those who are living in covetousness have no inheritance in the Kingdom of God.

Whoever is living in the lusts of the flesh is not abiding "in Christ." It is clear he will not be raised when the trumpet of God sounds. He has no guarantee of entrance into the new Jerusalem even though he professes belief in Christ.

Paul instructed each of us clearly: "If you live in the appetites of the flesh, you shall die." If the believer in Christ chooses to live in the flesh rather than in the Spirit of God he prevents his own participation in the first resurrection. He kills his own resurrection.

If any person be in Christ there is a new creation. The new creation is the Kingdom of God, the new Jerusalem. It is the new creation that will be raised from the dead to meet the Lord in the air at His coming.

All persons at one time or another will come forth from the grave, whether or not they are Christians.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [judgment]. (John 5:28,29)

The issue is not whether we shall come forth from the grave, the issue is what kind of resurrection we shall have.

What about the believer in Christ who practices covetousness after he receives Christ, never gaining the victory over it? Paul states that he has no inheritance in the Kingdom of God. What will be true of this believer when he is raised from the dead?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10)

Let us suppose this particular Christian has served the Lord in many areas, but the love of money has continued to be a powerful force in his life and seriously affects his behavior while in the body.

He is called from the grave by the voice of Christ. His personality is revealed for himself to see. He is a covetous person.

"The things done in his body". He has practiced covetousness, and this idolatry has prevented him from growing much past the starting point of believing on Christ. He has not contributed of his means as he should, and his covetousness has impaired his service to the Lord.

Covetousness has shaped his personality. The leavening power of Christ has been hindered from its work of transformation. He has harmed many people in business transactions. He passes at death into the spirit realm as a professed believer but a covetous personality.

To be continued.