No longer physical

It has been my understanding that under the Old Covenant, because death had power over men, God used the realm of the physical to give out blessings or curses.  For example, under the Mosaic Covenant, one was blessed for obedience with long life, many children, freedom and peace in one's own homeland and health.  Good used these things because that was the only realm in which man functioned.  For man, under the power of death, going to the grave meant separation from God.  There was no heaven to look forward to.
But now, and ever since Jesus Christ defeated death and took away its power, we no longer are confined to the mediocre realm of physical blessing.  Jesus' work freed us from the power of death, providing the means for us to live in obedience and look forward to eternal life in the immediate presence of God.
This does not, even in the least suggest that we earn eternal life.  Jesus already earned that.  We, in response to Jesus' work are to strive to love God and love neighbor, however that manifests itself in each individual life.
The contrast is an important one.  Under the Old Covenant, there was only physical blessing or physical curse.  Death meant separation from God.  Now, under the New Covenant, we should not be limiting our thoughts to the physical.  No longer is it the case that long life and many children are blessings for obedience, just as much as a short life and barrenness are no longer curses for disobedience.  Since death has been defeated, our focus is on preparing for eternity by sanctification, loving God and loving neighbor. 
When we under go some sort of hardship, we should look upon it as a means to aid our sanctification.  When we receive some sort of temporal blessing, we should see it as a test of our faith.  What will we do with our lives when things are easy? 
Applying this framework to our lives puts a radical spin on how we think and live, at least it ought to.  Try a thought experiment:  think through all the possible avenues in your live to which this could apply.  What would your life look like?