Written ~ 08-25-2023
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
“Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Wow, Wow, WOW! Aren’t these verses a wonderful promise from the Lord? What Christ did on the cross not only covered the sin of the world with His shed blood, but it also gave us the only way to Eternal Life. When you think about the miracle of Salvation, you can’t help but be grateful for what Christ did on that cross! When Jesus hung, dying on that cross, God placed onto Him, all the past, present, and future sin of the world. Jesus felt it all. He needed to be that sacrifice, so we could receive the gift of Salvation, a complete forgiveness of our sin, and removal of our guilt, and shame. The phenomenon of Salvation? Death no longer holds a grip over us! Verses 15:54b and 55,
“Death is swallowed up in VICTORY. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
When we believe and accept the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for our sin, then rose from the grave three days later – right then – we have become something brand new! Our physical, mortal bodies will be transformed and live forever in the Kingdom of Heaven! The verses preceding our passage for today give a wonderful description of what happens to these mortal bodies of ours, read 1 Corinthians 15:35-53 for more context. But for now, let me point us to verses 15:43-44 and 53,
“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are spiritual bodies. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.”
These verses show the promise of Salvation in Jesus Christ. Death no longer holds us down; it no longer has victory over us! Our Victory is now in Jesus Christ our Lord! Verse 15:57,
“But thank God! He gave us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
That’s what forgiveness of sin does for us. When a person comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, they are Born Again, renewed, sin has been washed away. Now, the hope in Jesus becomes alive in that newly saved soul! We have hope in Salvation! Verse 15:56a,
“For sin is the sting that results in death…”
When we accept and receive the gift of Salvation, sin no longer has a grip on us. You may be asking what happens if you don’t accept or believe who Jesus is and what He did on the cross? Well, simply put, there isn’t victory over death. Sin still has ahold of that life. There won’t be that transformation which causes the mortal body to become something new, it will not become a body that will inherit the Kingdom of God. Verse 15:50 says,
“What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.”
Without Salvation, death has not been swallowed up in victory, the sting of death is still very real. That body will die in sin and not be transformed into a heavenly being. That’s why believers, born again Christians have a deep longing for everyone to know, to love and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! Some people find the faith and hope we have in the Lord absolutely ridiculous, that’s why verse 15:58 is so important,
“So, dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
When our faith is placed in the Word of God, when belief and acceptance has resulted in having Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in our lives, WE HAVE VICTORY! Walking in that victory causes us to be strong! It causes an immovability in our faith! Everything we do or say becomes a testimony of Christ living within us! If we are working to reach others, by sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ saves and has given a way to remove the sting of death, those works will never be done in vain. God will use us for His Glory! That’s why each and every day we must walk in VICTORY! Not defeat! I believe it’s confusing to a non-believer to see a Christian walking through their lives defeated and stressed, melancholy and joyless, why would they want Salvation if that’s the result? We have the hope of Life Eternal living right there inside of us! We must share that hope, we must share the love of Jesus, in our actions, in our words, our entire countenance should shine the Light of Jesus!
Thank You Almighty God for giving me victory over sin and death! I have placed my faith and my hope entirely in You Lord! What a glorious day it will be when my mortal body is transformed into an immortal, heavenly body! I praise and honor You Jesus for dying on the cross for my sin, so I could have the opportunity to make a lifesaving decision and accept eternal life through Your sacrifice on the cross. Help me now Father to be strong and immovable in my faith. Help me to be a good and faithful servant. Use me Father for Your Kingdom.
~AMEN~