Read 1 Corinthians 14
Highlights:
Gifts in the church; the resurrection of Christ.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:52,57).
It is a triumphant fact that Christ has risen from the dead! This is a guarantee that we, too, shall be raised even if we should die before the Lord returns to earth. When Christ died on the cross and was raised from the dead on the third day, He gained a victory over death. This victory is not only His, but praise the Lord it belongs to all who trust Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Death no longer has power over the believer. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (15:55).
The day is coming when all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life (John 5:28-29). That will be the day when all that have believed in Christ rise victorious over death, hell and the grave. Christ did this so we could rise victoriously also. God intended for a man once to die (Heb. 9:27). Physical death is unavoidable. But for the Christian, physical death is nothing more than a transition into the presence of Christ, which is far better. When Christ returns, all Christians shall be changed like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself (Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:51-55). We will be transformed from death unto life and given a glorified body. Just like when we surrendered our lives to Christ, we were dead in the trespasses of our sins. However, the blood of Jesus' sacrifice of Himself gave us life.
Ultimately, it must be remembered that this victory over death applies only to those who have personally believed in and accepted Christ as their Saviour. That is the only way to eternal life. Without Jesus, we are still in the bondage of sin. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law (1 Cor. 15:56). Unless we receive forgiveness, our sin is the ticket to death. It was Adam's when he sinned and therefore our ticket to physical death. It is all mankind's ticket to spiritual death. At the great white throne, all who have rejected Christ will be judged and condemned to an eternal hell. We need the grace of Christ to offer us the free pardon from sin's great prison, hell. The only escape is through Jesus. Trust Him, receive Life.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).
Thought for Today:
Because Christ died, we can live for all eternity with Him. What a blessed hope!
Cross References:
For 1 Cor. 14:21: See Is. 28:11-12. 1 Cor. 15:3-4: See Hos. 6:2. 1 Cor. 15:25: See Ps. 110:1. 1 Cor. 15:27: See Ps. 8:6. 1 Cor. 15:32: See Is. 22:13. 1 Cor. 15:45: See Gen. 2:7. 1 Cor. 15:54: See Is. 25:8. 1 Cor. 15:55: See Hos. 13:14.
Word Studies:
14:10 signification, meaning; 14:11 barbarian, foreigner; 14:20 in malice be ye children, in doing evil, be as harmless as a baby; 14:27 by course, in turn; 15:9 meet, worthy, fit; 15:20 slept, have died; 15:33 evil communications corrupt good manners, evil companions or associations ruin or defile good character; 15:40 celestial, heavenly; terrestrial, earthly; 16:2 gatherings, collections; 16:13 stand fast in the faith, remain true to the Lord; quit you, act, be courageous; 16:15 addicted, devoted; 16:22 Anathema, Accursed; Maranatha, Our Lord is coming!
Prayer Suggestion: Seek God in prayer with your whole heart and He will hear you (Jer. 29:12-13).
Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:14
