“But thanks be
to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians
15:57-58 NKJ)
to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians
15:57-58 NKJ)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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: All Christians will not die, but all Christians will be changed. God’s
trumpet will echo throughout the universe. It will permeate every place where
Christians are. The dead in Christ will hear the wake-up call; those who are living
and serving Christ shall be changed.
mystery: All Christians will not die, but all Christians will be changed. God’s
trumpet will echo throughout the universe. It will permeate every place where
Christians are. The dead in Christ will hear the wake-up call; those who are living
and serving 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!”
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!”
And because of this
expectation and hope, we never give up. We continue to serve Christ to the last
minute. We are confident that what we do for him is always worth something!
expectation and hope, we never give up. We continue to serve Christ to the last
minute. We are confident that what we do for him is always worth something!
Dear Father, thank
you for the assurance of your word. Empower us with the confident faith which
endures to the end. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the assurance of your word. Empower us with the confident faith which
endures to the end. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be confident today
in Christ,
in Christ,