1 Corinthians 15:50 was quite the study! Understanding the difference between the Kingdom of God, the spiritual kingdom we are a part of in this Dispensation of Grace, also known as the Mystery period that was hid from the foundation of the world, and the Kingdom of Heaven, the literal, physical kingdom of Messiah King Jesus, that is yet to come, that Israel is still looking for, is paramount to understanding our Bible.
1 Corinthians 15:50: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
These two verses give us the foundation of understanding that the kingdom we are involved in is not something that can be seen, but it is an attitude of the heart! It is not flesh and blood, nor is it meat and drink! It is spiritual! One day, at the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it will be seen, but at this time it is unseen. Remember, we look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart! 1 Samuel 16:7
Some great questions were raised in our study concerning the “idle words” issue, and the judgment seat of Christ. Since idle words are sin, and all our sins have been forgiven, we will not give account of any sin at the Bema or Rewards judgment. We do face the consequences of our idle words in our daily lives, here and now, but in eternity, they are washed away. If we do not confess our daily sins, including the idle words that are spoken, our fellowship with God is broken, and anything we seek to do for the cause of Christ will only have temporal reward. A repentant heart attitude is necessary for eternal riches to be stored up in heaven. Only the new man we are in Christ can invest in heavenly reward – the gold, silver, and precious stones of 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. The old man Adamic nature can do lots of good things, but it is only wood, hay, and stubble that will be burned away.
Galatians 6:7-8: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Jesus gives us a universal principle in Matthew 6:19-21 concerning eternal investment. Remember, only the new man we are in Christ has access to eternal treasure. Our old man can only enjoy the personal pride of doing “spiritual things” for Christ, and receiving the immediate reward. Whatever is done for the kingdom, in meekness and humility in the Spirit, can never be taken away. Conversely, when we receive our reward, and see all of the works done in our “fleshy old man” piled up next to what was done with a repentant heart attitude, we will suffer the loss once it is all burned away.
Matthew 6:19-21: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The same cannot be said for those who will stand before the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. Everything of the lives of the spiritually dead will be revealed from the books of the deeds of their lives that will be opened and examined. The idle words will be revealed, and the proper punishment of the Lake of Fire will be their reward.
Next week we will study the crowning glory of 1 Corinthians 15 — the harpazo / rapture of all who are in Christ!