Caffeinated Crunchy Christian Moms

Read: 1 Corinthians 15-16

Glorification is one of those things that feels far off, but it’s actually something we’re meant to live with in mind right now. You can tell what kind of plant something is by the fruit that it produces. Just today my husband and I were fruit tree shopping at TSC. Though the trees were not yet growing fruit, they all had tags saying exactly what fruit they will produce. The fruit of our lives says a lot about what’s actually taking root in our hearts. And all of this is leading somewhere. Glorification means being saved from the presence of sin, not just forgiven of it. There will be a day when sin has no trace left in me, no pull, no struggle, no residue, only the fullness of God’s glory.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 1:6

Scripture had already pointed to this full picture. There was talk of life after death, of shining in glory, of being raised.

“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life… Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens …” -Daniel 12:2–3

“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God … we will all be changed …”-1 Corinthians 15:50–52

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven … and so we will be with the Lord forever.” -1 Thessalonians 4:16–18

There was always a bigger story unfolding. From glory, to glory, to glorification. Perfection. No illness, no pain, no brokenness, no sorrow, nothing missing. Fully restored and fully with Him.

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns … the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” -Revelation 19:6–7

The picture of the wedding shows up again. Not just as symbolism, but as preparation. There was a process. The bride didn’t just show up. She prepared. She set herself apart. She anticipated the day she would be united with the bridegroom. That’s how we’re called to live now. Not casually, not half in, but aware of what’s coming. Living set apart and being prepared. Not because we earn it, but because we know what we’re being brought into.

Today’s reading brought us through the end of 1 Corinthians, and chapter 15 walked through the resurrection of Christ. It said that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared.

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures … he was buried … he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” -1 Corinthians 15:3–4

That phrase, according to the Scriptures, matters. This was always the plan. It had been spoken long before it happened, and God followed through on every part of it. He keeps His promises!

We just came out of Easter, and it’s such a clear reminder that yes, Christ died for our sins, but that’s not permission to keep living in them. That sacrifice was costly in a way we can’t even measure. There’s no value we could place on it, nothing any person could ever afford. It was everything.

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” -1 Corinthians 15:33

“Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning …” -1 Corinthians 15:34

Who we’re around matters. What we fill our lives with matters. God is not compatible with sin, so if we’re walking with Him, there should be a shift. Not perfection, but direction. At the same time, it’s important to remember that this is a challenging idea and we shouldn’t rely on our own strength.

“By the grace of God I am what I am …” -1 Corinthians 15:10

Everything we are, everything we do, it’s because of Him. It should point back to Him. I’ve been noticing this more, even in sports, how often athletes are using their platform to give glory to God. That’s so wonderful! Wins, losses, championships, none of that is the ultimate thing. What actually matters is Him.

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” -1 Corinthians 15:22

Because He gave His life, we have new life. And yes, our physical bodies matter here and now. We’re called to use them well to live out our faith, to love people, to share truth. But they’re not what lasts. They’re not what we carry into eternity. We’re living now in light of what’s coming.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” -1 Corinthians 16:13–14

Those weren’t just closing words in 1 Corinthians; they were direction. A way to live while we wait. Glorification isn’t just a future hope; it’s something that should shape how we live today. Set apart and ready.

Discussion Questions

1. What kind of “fruit” is your life producing right now?
2. What would it look like for you to live in a way that is ready and prepared for Christ’s return?

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