Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, June 4, 2017

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“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34).

Eat. Drink. Tomorrow, you die! What a hopeless thought. It’s in black and white right in the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:32). Except, that is a hopeless rendition concerning those who do not believe in the resurrection. In this, context is truly key.

First Corinthians 15 is a brilliant treatise on the resurrection that will take place in at least two phases surrounding the coming of Christ and the one thousand years following. I am leaving out a ton of details, but the fact is that one day, those who love the Lord will be raised and given new bodies to match the sterling characters they developed by faith in Christ in preparation for His arrival. They will be given the reward of eternal life of which the King Himself is worthy. Jesus lived a perfect life. He assigns His rights of eternal reward to all who surrender our wills to Him, by faith, and turn away from our wicked ways. What a blessing.

The unjust, who had habitually resisted Jesus’ entreaties will be raised to face their reward for rejecting God’s love—eternal death, facilitated by the lake of fire. What an unnecessary loss.

The chapter makes it plain that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was a down payment and proof positive that all who keep faith in Him can live righteous lives and be transformed in eternal vigor when Jesus comes. We all need to decide whether to believe that God loves so much that He made provision for us to die to our sinful lives and arise in the newness of right relationship with Him.

Often, people find it hard to believe that God can be that good and powerful. Sometimes we elevate our sin habits above God and make it seem like His sacrifice was not sufficient to eradicate our love for sin, even if we surrender to Him. Paul's admonition in our theme text is appropriate in this context. He wants us all to adopt a sober mindset and fully embrace an intimate experience with God. There are countless millions who are living without hope. God wants us to accept the blessing of His gift of salvation so we can also reach those who were once like us. He wants us to share testimonies of how great God was to be able to save us from sin. The same God who is raising people
from their spiritual stupor, will soon take all His people to live with Him forever.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)