DEATH AND BEYOND

man distinct from the physical body. Paul speaks of being strengthened in our inner man. He talks of being a new creature having a new heart.
This verse must be read in context. Paul was suffering affliction and his body was under threat of death. Inside however he was strong and receiving fresh supplies of grace each day to strengthen him to pass through this time of hardship and trial. He knew that suffering can strengthen the character and lead to eternal results. While troubles were coming to him, he was looking ahead to the future plans which God has for us and this gave him courage.

The inward man is where the motives are, and the faculties of choices, decision, and the will. By the grace of God this was the renewal that Paul was experiencing.
It is worth noting that there is nothing in this verse to imply that those same thoughts and decisions and motives remain conscious after death. The Bible teaches that even our thoughts perish as does our ability to praise God. ‘His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.’ Psalm 146:4
God knows the heart that we develop and He looks after this. In heaven there are written books of record on each of us. ‘The judgment was set, and the books were opened.’ Daniel 7:10. Malachi 3:16,17 There is also a book of remembrance for those who often spoke together about God and feared His name. ‘And a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels;’ Malachi 3:16,17 ‘And in thy book all my members (body parts) were written.’ Psalm 139:16
All our spiritual life is recorded and remembered. God keeps us safe until the day of resurrection and He will then give a new body to match that pure character.

John 11:26 states that ‘whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die.’ Please explain!

Romans 6:23 says, ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ’ The contrast throughout the Bible is between life and death. It refers ultimately to the life that is the reward of faith and obedience to God, and the penalty of death for those who disregard the ways of God. John 3:16 also speaks of this same life and death. ‘For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’
For those who believe, the gift of God is eternal life. They will not perish in the punishment of the wicked, the second death, as it is called in the Book of Revelation.

Our human life now is a probationary life, and our death now is a sleep until Christ comes. When Jesus returns the situation will be different. He says, ‘Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.’ Then is the time that immortality is given to the righteous. ‘We shall all be changed.’ Corruption shall put on incorruption and mortal beings will become immortal.

We do not see our reward now but we can trust the promise of God. He has given the Holy Spirit to us as a guarantee of the fulfilment of that promise. Read the following words from Paul: ‘In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.’ Ephesians 1:13.
The death that hangs over us as the penalty for sin is the second death, the annihilation of the wicked of Revelation 2:11. Revelation 20:6,14. This will be the fate of those who do not overcome sin and temptation. It will be death by fire until they are reduced to ashes. If we believe, and trust and obey God, to be overcomers this will not be our fate.

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