Live Again

¹ “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. ² He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue. ³ And do You open Your eyes on such a one, And bring me to judgment with Yourself? ⁴ Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one! ⁵ Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass. ⁶ Look away from him that he may rest, Till like a hired man he finishes his day. ⁷ “For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. ⁸ Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, ⁹ Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant. ¹⁰ But man dies and is laid away; Indeed he breathes his last And where is he? ¹¹ As water disappears from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dries up, ¹² So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, They will not awake Nor be roused from their sleep. ¹³ “Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me! ¹⁴ If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.

Job 14:1-14

Job’s soliloquy in chapter 14 is difficult to read. He tells us that nature can spring back to life, yet, mankind dies, is buried, and ultimately forgotten in the grave. Job’s diatribe is similar to what one reads in the book of Ecclesiastes about life under the sun.

In verse 14, Job asks an important question. If a man dies, shall he live again? As one examines Scripture, they find the answer to that inquiry to be one word—yes! Those who know Christ will be raised to life just as Jesus was resurrected. Christians may experience physical death but resurrection awaits all true Believers. The New Testament teaches important aspects of this truth time and again. Let’s examine three of them this week.

**Believers will receive a new body at the resurrection of the saints. (1 Corinthians 15:35-58) This body will be imperishable, incorruptible, and like unto the body of our Savior. Christians will inhabit these new bodies forever with Jesus. What a day that will be!

**Believers will receive rewards at the last resurrection. (Colossians 2:18, 3:24, Hebrews 10:35) These rewards will be based on how the Christian lives in this present day. The rewards are separate from salvation which is based on grace through faith and is irrevocable. However, God’s people will be given crowns for serving Christ faithfully. Then, we will all cast our crowns at Jesus feet when we see Him as He is. (Revelation 4:9-11)

**Christians will dwell with Christ forever. (John 14:1-3) The greatest reward that the Saved receive is the prize of Jesus’ presence. Just being with our savior will make everything worthwhile.

Will Christians live again? Absolutely. Thanks be to God for His glorious mercy and grace!    

Tony French