“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NRS)
It was a beautiful September morning. The birds chirped cheerfully. The squirrels chattered excitedly as they darted back and forth across the backyard. The cool wind blew calmly through the trees and my hair as I swung, sipped my coffee, and contemplated the Gospel according to Paul.
According to Scripture: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and is resurrected. It doesn’t matter who preaches it, this is what Christians believe. It is the foundation of our faith! If anyone denies the resurrection of Christ, he/she denies salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. And this life is a miserable existence, if our hope in Christ does not extend past death. Christ is indeed resurrected! He is the “firstfruits” of all his disciples who will be resurrected at his return. Of all the spiritual enemies Christians face in this life, death is the final one; and by his resurrection Christ has already defeated it. We must not get sidetracked by endless discussions of what the resurrected body will be like. Our resurrected body will be like the Lord’s resurrected body, and that says it all. A glorious body! A non-perishable body! A spiritual body but not a ghost! A strong, powerful body!
Then there is the mystery: We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed. God’s trumpet will echo throughout the universe. It will permeate every place where the dead in Christ lie; and both they as well as those who are alive in Christ shall be changed. The change will occur with the speed of an eyelid closing and opening again. This weak, physically deteriorating body will be transformed into a powerful, never-dying body. In that millisecond event, Death is conquered by Christ’s victory! And we shall all shout, “O death where is your sting? O grave where is your victory? Thank you God for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Now, dear friends, because of his victory: let us be firm in our faith, unshakeable, and continue to take our work for him to a level that exceeds our past efforts. Remember, our work for him is always worth something!
Dear Father, thank you for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Encourage us with faith that endures. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in Christ’s victory over death,