John MacArthur said:
It is only the body, the mortal humanness of a believer, that is yet to be redeemed. The inner person is already a completely new creation, a partaker of God’s nature and indwelt by God’s Spirit. “Therefore if any man is in Christ,” Paul says, “he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). Peter assures us that God’s “divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Pet. 1:3–4).
Because believers are already new creatures possessing the divine nature, their souls are fit for heaven and eternal glory. They love God, hate sin, and have holy longings for obedience to the Word. But while on earth they are kept in bondage by their mortal bodies, which are still corrupted by sin and its consequences. Christians are holy seeds, as it were, encased in an unholy shell. Incarcerated in a prison of flesh and subjected to its weaknesses and imperfections, we therefore eagerly await an event that is divinely guaranteed but is yet to transpire-the redemption of our body.
I have often found that during the best times of Prayer and fellowship with the Lord, is often followed by some fleshly temptation. And sometimes I give in to them. I find that no matter what – my unredeemed flesh is still with me and all of it’s desires to turn away from the light of God. It loves darkness and sin. All the while – there is a longing for truth and righteousness – goodness – faithfulness – honor to the Lord – and faithfulness. I find a heavy conflict sometimes within me sometimes just as Paul described in Romans 7. My Holy soul is ready for my spirit to finally be at home – but until then, I have to endure my flesh. I too have aches and pains that are sometimes depressing. I have gout – sore legs and back and my hair is grey and falling out. My eyesight is terrible and I am loosing my hearing in my right ear. My face looks old and wrinkled… and my hands hurt sometimes.
Last night an old fried from childhood called to tell me that his sister – Terri (who I had a crush on) was dying at 53 years of age. I went to see her and she was yellow from liver failure. She woke up – spoke with me a few minutes and asked me to sing at her funeral. Of course I agreed. I prayed with her – kiss her on the head – and she said we will see you on the other side. I look forward to seeing her again in her redeemed body with her redeemed souls – perfect before the Lord.
Lord I long for this to come. Please come quickly Lord Jesus
Your Son
Tim Gowens