Scripture 1 Corinthians 15:58
Key verse – verse 58 - “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand
firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the
Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”.
All the saints should not die, but all would be changed. In
the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made known. Death never
shall appear in the regions to which our Lord will bear his risen saints.
Therefore let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst
of pain, and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of
the tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean time our
souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives death all its hurtful power.
The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he
has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength of
sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his
own transgressions.
Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the
unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold
him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to
God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of
the Redeemer!
In verse 58, we have an exhortation that believers should be
steadfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and
they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this
great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in
the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's
commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not
only be safe, but joyful and triumphant.
Evangelism
This is the mystery of the riches of divine grace for
sinners; for by a wonderful exchange our sins are now not ours but Christ’s,
and Christ’s righteousness is not Christ’s but ours. …Martin Luther
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