Many of you will recognize the scriptural address of I Corinthians 15 as "The Resurrection Chapter." Paul begins the chapter talking about the historical resurrection of Christ as the highly witnessed event of human history. He then goes on to emphasize how important His resurrection is to our salvation both past and present. He does this to encourage us in facing the problems of this life as well as the possibility that most will experience physical death. But this is not the end of the story, as he concludes in the final paragraph:
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The resurrection of Christ drives us, motivates us, and the thought of this future victory at the trump of God moves us to this trumpet sound: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. What Christ accomplished in the past, and the assurance of what He will do in the future is to affect how we live in the present: steadfast, faithful, and confident in Christ and His plan for our lives. May we live thankful lives today, allowing Him to lead us to victory.
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