There are a couple things that really stand out to me in this reading today.
#1 Resurrection is indispensable!
And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is a delusion and you are still lost in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17[TLB]. The Corinthian church is on the struggle bus about the subject of resurrection. Paul is writing to them to make God’s position very clear to them. This is the bottom line as I read it: If Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead, everything falls apart. Game over.
What does this mean for us today?
I have spent time thanking God for the birth of His Son.
I have thanked Jesus for modeling obedience and ministry to us on earth.
I carry the debt of gratitude for Christ’s death on the cross. It was on that cross that my sins were covered by His perfect blood. Without His perfect blood, I am responsible to pay for my own sin. His life for mine. That is enough to be propelled into a life that honors Him, don’t you think?
But I’ve glossed over the resurrection. Of course Jesus couldn’t stay dead, how would be able to prepare a place for me? How would He be able to pray for me? And what about the trinity? There can’t be an eternal trinity if 1/3 of the team is stuck in a grave. Maybe a better way to say this is that I’ve taken the resurrection for granted.
Today I praise God for the power of resurrection, because if He isn’t alive then I can’t be with Him forever. Matt Maher said it much better than I can.
Amen Amen, I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life my future in His hands
#2 God’s work matters!
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. 1 Corinthians 15:58[NLT]
Can you imagine anything in this world that you could do that has no chance for failure? The NIV version says “stand firm. ” “Let nothing move you.” “ALWAYS give yourself FULLY to the work of the Lord.” Essentially He says, it will all matter. It will all make a difference to God, and for His kingdom.
FOLKS! These are massive claims. I cannot see what God sees. I don’t know what question or answer or help I’ve provided that helps someone in their faith journey and I would guess you haven’t seen all of the results of your work for God either. How about the pastors? Sunday School teachers? What about the people who show up to make meals for the hungry and help to feed them spiritually? HOME Group leaders who pray for and shepherd. What about the one who comes to clean a church or a shelter or a mission kitchen and prays over every inch that they dust or disinfect?
My question is are you giving yourself fully? Are you serving, helping, teaching, sharing with no reservation? Quite the opposite from the pressure the world imposes by saying “failure is not an option”, God says the only way you can possibly fail is to do nothing.
I encourage you to start something. Don’t wait for the grand neon sign you’ve been praying for. Just serve, in the name of God.
Asking yourself some questions might help you find a starting place. What do you love to do? What have you learned to do? How can you do it for the Lord? If you need help, I’ll be glad to work through that with you.
God has done so much more for us than we can imagine. The more you know the more you have love and serve God.
