1 Corinthians 15:41,42

DEGREES OF CONDITION

‘There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.’

1 Corinthians 15:41

We may not overlook the point insisted upon by the Apostle—namely, that there shall be diversities and degrees in the condition of the risen righteous; that, though every seed shall come up with an entirely new body, yet every human seed shall have its own: differing in capacity it may be, differing in happiness it may be, differing in celestial rank it may be, but certainly not all alike. ‘There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory’ (see Daniel 12:3).

I. The saint of the lowest degree will be blessed according to the extent of his capacity, and therefore according to the extent of his desire. For capacity measures desire, whether in heaven or in earth. Every desire of the risen nature will be gratified; and though one vessel may be larger than another, yet no vessel can be more than full. No; there will be no room for envy in heaven. The deeds according to which God rewards us are the effects of His own grace; derive all their acceptableness from Christ’s mediation; are performed only in and through the assistance of the Holy and Eternal Spirit, Who, according as we neglect or improve the gift that is in us, raises us to this stature of saintliness or that, ‘dividing to every man severally as He will.’

II. Having therefore such promises, let us strive after high things.—Let us not be content with a low spiritual ambition. Expectants of a mansion, let us try for the noblest. Heirs to a crown, let us aspire to the richest. Designated to a place in the upper firmament, let no lower glory content us than a place near to the ‘Bright and Morning Star.’

—Prebendary D. Moore.