“What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow–you are not sowing the future body, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain. But God gives it a body as He wants, and to each of the seeds its own body…For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality…Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15: 37,53-54,58, HCSB).
Some in the Corinthian church were apparently denying the resurrection from the dead. The Apostle Paul argued that all they believe is in vain if there is no resurrection from the dead: “If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone” (vs. 19).
Paul informed the Corinthians that Jesus was indeed resurrected and appeared to all the apostles and on one occasion appeared to more than 500 people!
Paul explained that the resurrection of Jesus was an example of what we will be. He was the firstfruits of resurrection for all who die in Christ.
In the final analysis, resurrection is the culmination of the Christian experience. It’s everything we live, and die, for. It’s the end of our temporal life and the beginning of our immortality.
So, what we do with our lives in this world impacts how we shall experience eternity! This life is something of a preparation for eternity.
And, if that’s the case, it begs the question, what are you doing with your immortality? What are you doing to prepare for your eternal life?
Paul saw that as the underlying question to his argument for bodily resurrection to eternal life for those who die in Christ.
In the final statement of this chapter, Paul answered the question when he reminded the contentious Corinthians that their time in this life was best spent laboring for the Lord!
So, if doing the Lord’s work doesn’t concern you in your life in this present world, how’s that going to work for you in eternity?
“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city and His slaves will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads…And they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5).
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