1 Corinthians 15-3.23.22
Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, Paul is proving Christ’s resurrection to those who are denying it at the church in Corinth. In addition to proving Christ’s resurrection, He is also encouraging the church that this is why they must stand firm in the work of the Lord. The resurrection was real!
Understanding-What does it mean?
Christ's resurrection was real and important!
Without the resurrection, our Christian faith is in vain. Basically, it is empty, worthless, fruitless and ineffective. (2)
“Christ's resurrection rests on the evidence of many eye-witnesses, including Paul himself, and is the great fact preached as the groundwork of the Gospel: they who deny the resurrection in general, must deny that of Christ, and the consequence of the latter will be, that Christian preaching and faith are vain.” (1)
Life Application
We should not only live a saved life, but a transformed life! Because of Christ’s resurrection from the grave, we have hope and purpose!
It wasn’t enough for Jesus to die for our sins. He resurrected to show that He conquered death so that we could conquer sin and death also!
I love the picture of baptism. It’s a symbol of death to the old and resurrection to the new! Our labor in the Lord is not in vain because Christ paid a price to allow us to have relationship with Him, and then resurrected so that we could live a new life of honor and service to Him alone.
Thank You Jesus that you didn’t give me what I deserved. All I deserve is hell, but You love me too much for that. Thank You for new life in You because of Your resurrection. Thank You that I am able to serve You and live out my calling because of what You alone did for me....for us. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Sources: (1) biblestudytools.com, (2) New Oxford American Dictionary