Christ is Alive

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (NIV)

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”  Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

Devotion:

            In this passage, Paul, speaks to us about what Jesus Christ’s resurrection means to us. The first thing to note is that Paul views the resurrection as beyond dispute. He boldly declares this. He has no doubts. Paul then goes into detail what this means for us as far as our future in God’s kingdom.

            The future is all about Christ and his reign over the power of death. Paul explains how Christ will rise to glory in heaven after he has destroyed forever the power of death. Christ is raised from the dead and now lives in a glorified human body with God in heaven for all eternity. We as Christians are to rejoice that our Lord was victorious over the grave. We must praise God for the wonderful gift of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord.

            Our Savior will win the final victory over death by destroying Satan and all his angels when our Lord comes again in glory. Christ was raised first from the dead then at the right time those who have died in Christ will be raised bodily to join our Lord in heaven forever. Just as the souls of the faithful departed currently reside with God in heaven now, so they will one day live with our God in a resurrection body. What exactly that means we are not told in the pages of scripture. But we know it will be a body not subject to death ever again. We will be allowed to eat of the tree of life, and this mortal body will be clothed in immortality.

            Let us praise God for our new life in him:

Prayer:

            Father God, we thank you and praise you for the gift you have given us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Because you loved us so much you sent your Son to us to be our Lord forever. You have freed us from all our enemies, even death has been defeated in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Help us to be as certain as Paul was about the resurrection dear Lord. All glory be to you and all praises be sung to your name. Amen.

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