Redemption of the Body

by Terry Wane Benton

We were redeemed from sin and condemnation by the blood of Christ when we were baptized into Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-6). But, now we are waiting for "the adoption, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23).

Paul's soul was already "adopted." "We received (past tense) the Spirit of adoption" (Romans 8:15), which allowed us to call God our Father and hope for the inheritance that comes from being His children. But, being in the flesh, we still groan and wait for another kind of adoption, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:11 says Christ "will give life to your mortal bodies." When that happens, we get to adopt a new body, redeem this mortal body for our immortal body. Therefore, the redemption of our souls and our adoption as sons occurred when we were baptized into Christ. Adoption of an immortal body comes at the last day (I Corinthians 15:21ff).

Redeeming this mortal body for our immortal body will take place when Jesus comes again. The last enemy, death, will be destroyed, and we will possess bodies that will never grow old or get tired or produce pain. I look forward to cashing this body in on a new and glorious body. This happens to all who are in Christ, walking after the Spirit, and are not remaining under the sentence of condemnation (Romans 8:1,5-8). Don't miss out on that glorious day of immortality.