We were born into a kingdom of death (Rom. 5:17,21).
This not only means that we will die but it means we live in a setting
where everything around us is also dying.
It is a culture of death so to
speak. This life and its afflictions can
cause us to become quite discouraged. Not
to encourage discouragement but look at this list of things that can create
depression in our lives, from Martin Lloyd-Jones book Spiritual Depression: It’s Causes and Cure: spiritual immaturity or
imbalance, unforgiven sin, regret over past failures, fear of the future,
depending on feelings, bargaining with God, unbelief, doubts, legalism, holding
to false teaching, weariness in service, lack of discipline, sorrow in trials,
failing to accept God’s discipline, worry and lack of contentment.
The point is that there are a lot of things
that can drag down this flesh and bones,
corruptible body. Paul ends the passage
by encouraging believers to be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Those words of encouragement do not come in a
vacuum but are the conclusion of all that has been said. The fact of the resurrection of Christ and
our hope of resurrection is what, more than anything else, encourages us to be
faithful unto death in this life.
In today’s passage we are reminded that the day
is coming when we will be changed. The mystery of vs.51-52 is of that event for
which the Church awaits: our meeting Christ in the air. Instantly, if we are alive at that point, we
will be changed. Resurrection is not
only for those already fallen asleep; it is for all who go to be with
Christ. And the change is into bodies
that are incorruptible and immortal; they will be fit for eternity.
The amazing thing is that when this happens
then the worst enemy of humanity, death, will be seen to be a defeated and
destroyed enemy. Death, which is the
result of sin, will be swallowed up in victory.
In Christ we will be free of all that death and sin entails, even as we
are able to experience the beginnings of victory now through Christ.
And thus we can conclude that there is nothing
in this life that must drag us down so that we cannot abound in service to Christ. This body is weak, without question. It is corruptible. But Christ, the firstfruits of the
resurrection, gives us hope that sustains us through all this life throws at
us. It is what Job in his sufferings
yearned for (Job 19:25-27). It is the hope
in Christ that will purify us (1 John 3:2-3) and conform us to the likeness of
our holy God (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The chapter ends with a familiar thought. Paul was concerned about the faith of the
Corinthians being vain (v1-2). God’s grace was not vain to Paul; he labored abundantly (v10). The faith of the Corinthians need not be vain because Christ was truly raised
from the dead (v14). So now their labor
for the Lord, like his, would not be vain. Resurrection hope makes this life full of
significance; it never need be empty!
No comments:
Post a Comment