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Daily Devotions

Philippians

Philippians 
Day 
Day 75

"Who will transform our lowly body..."

Text: Philippians 3:21

THE RETURN OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The doctrine of the second coming of Christ was well understood and taught by the apostles. Apart from its obvious theological significance, Paul included a personal perspective.

“Who will transform our lowly body that it may
be conformed to His glorious body, according
to the working by which He is able even to
subdue all things to Himself.”

Philippians 3:21

1. “Our lowly body”

a) As long as we are in our present mortal bodies we will be subject to its many weaknesses and sins.
b) Paul called the present state a “lowly body”.
c) This perspective does not detract from fact that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

2. “Who will transform our lowly body”

a) Paul looked forward to the day when the present lowly body would be transformed.
b) He devoted a whole chapter in 1 Corinthians to discuss this subject (1 Corinthians 15).
c) This work of transformation would be done by the Lord Jesus when He returns.

3. “That it may be conformed to His glorious body”

a) What kind of body would we have when we are transformed?
b) It would conform to Christ’s “glorious body”.
i) It is sometimes called “the resurrection body”.
ii) It would be a body that is free from sin’s defects and limitations.

4. “According to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself”

a) The Lord will apply His power in our life in this great transformation.
b) All things will be subdued and made subject to the Lord.
c) This is a work that only God Himself can perform.

A GLORIOUS HOPE THAT MUST BE KEPT ALIVE

This is a glorious hope that made the early New Testament church vibrant and alive to the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ. Our challenge must be to have this strong sense of hope in our heart too!

1. Let us make every effort to remember that our citizenship is in heaven.

2. Let us eagerly look forward to the Return of our Lord to establish His kingdom on earth.

3. Let us look forward to His return for another special reason- we will have a new and transformed Resurrection body when the Lord Jesus returns!