We Live Because He Lived - 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Our world is filled with despair, sorry, and decay. It is easy to get blinded by the physical and not recognize the spiritual. However, we have been freed and remain free because of the resurrection of Christ.

How often do we misrepresent God when we don’t speak the whole truth of the Gospel?
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1 Corinthians 15:12-34

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³ But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. ²⁸ When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

²⁹ Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? ³⁰ Why are we in danger every hour? ³¹ I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! ³² What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” ³³ Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” ³⁴ Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
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The Corinthian church believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but they struggled to believe that we would be resurrected with Him on the final day. Paul uses login and tries to argue and prove that we too will be resurrected with Christ. He is saying that if Christ didn’t rise from the grave, then everything we are doing is in vain. Our faith is worthless and means nothing. Also, the dead will not be raised, then Christ also must not even be raised. 

But, Christ was the firstfruits of those rising from the grave to live in the Kingdom of God for eternity. Christ's resurrection gives us a taste, of the first fruits, of what is to come for all believers. Since sin affects everyone, because we all come from Adam, we are all bound and destined for eternal destruction. But, the gift of God, through Christ’s sacrifice, gives us a way for eternal life in Him. Those that belong to Christ will receive resurrection bodies when Christ returns. It is at this time that all of death is defeated under His feet.

We can take joy in the fact that we will be resurrected with Christ on the final day. We will live with Him for eternity, but only if we have faith that Jesus Christ died on that cross, bore our sins upon Himself, and then conquered death by rising from the dead on the third day.  

I encourage us to read and understand the complete truth that God brings through His word. Live according to the truth despite the peer pressure around. Don’t misrepresent the Word of God because it contradicts what you want in life. Be true and argue for the truth so that it may set you and those around you free.