1 Corinthians 15:35-58

VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

 Keywords 15:57

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1. The resurrection principle (35-49)

The resurrection body will be glorious but the earthly body we have now is full

of sickness and sin. It is compared to a seed. We must sow a seed and the seed

must die in order to give life to the plant (36). In the same way, we must die to

self and to this earthly body to have the resurrection body. This is known as the

resurrection principle. When we sow this perishable body of sin and weakness, it

will be raised imperishable in power and glory (42-44).

 

When we were in Adam, the image of God in us was tarnished and we fell to an

animal level. But Christ the last Adam gave us new life and a new image. Now

our hope as Christians is to become like Christ. Someday we will be clothed with

a resurrection body like Christ the heavenly man (48b, 49b). This is our glorious

hope and the end of our journey of faith. Whose image do I bear?

 

2. Death has been swallowed up in victory (50-58)

There is a mystery to the gospel. Since flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God, we must be changed. It will happen in a flash, in the twinkling of

an eye. The perishable will inherit the imperishable. Death will be swallowed up in

victory. The sting of death which is sin will be forever removed. Thanks be to God

who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Paul ends this chapter with a strong admonishment: Let nothing move you. There

are many things that move us; but they are grounded in the fear of death, which

Christ has destroyed in resurrection. Since we have victory in Jesus, we can stand

firmly and give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. The gospel assures us that

all our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Even if you feel like you are losing, you are a

winner in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for Jesus’ victory over sin, death and Satan. Help me not

to be discouraged over my failures and weaknesses but remember that

I have victory in Jesus. Help me to do your work which will last forever.

Amen.

One Word We have victory now in Jesus!