1 Corinthians 15

Bible Passage:  1 Corinthians 15

This is a particularly long chapter with 58 verses. My intention is to share some thought on some of these verses without going too in-depth on the theological aspects.

Paul emphasized the significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection in this Chapter. His death on the cross and the resurrection three days after are so crucial, that it forms the fundamental basis and grounds of our faith and hope for eternal life. If Christ is not risen, our living and faith would have been in vain (ref v14). Most pitifully, we would have been living in the bondage of sin (v17).

While there is no teaching that requires us to remember His resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion for us to commemorate His death. Through partaking of the flesh and blood of our Lord and being in communion with Him so that we can have eternal life and be raised on the last day.

To seek those things which are above

If we were to be raised with Christ on the last day, Paul exhorted us to pursue those things which are above (Col 3:1-2).

What are the ‘things on the earth’ (Col 3:2) that Paul was referring to here? Paul went on in verses 5; 8-9 (Col 3) on such earthly lusts and sins which would draw upon the wrath of God.

What are the things which are from above? Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, put on love, be thankful and many others (see Col 3:12-17).

Be Renewed!

Paul encouraged those who were still living in the past to ‘put off’ the old deeds and ‘put on’ the new man (Col 3:9-10), who should mirror God’s images (i.e. in true righteousness and holiness). The ‘new man’ here does not only refer to the new outlook or how others perceive us to have ‘changed’. It refers to the renewal in the spirit of our mind (Eph 4:22-24).

Few weeks ago, the Sabbath speaker asked the congregation: “can others really see Jesus in you?” We’re to be clean and pure both ‘with-out’ and ‘with-in’ to let others see Jesus in us. This is an ongoing process to learn and grow, until Christ is formed in us.

Every day of our lives is likened to an on-ongoing spiritual battle where the ‘invisible’ roaring lion ‘seeks whom he may devour’. I hope all of us will find the renewed strength and rely on the hope from Jesus, who has walked before us and overcome the world for us.

May you have a blessed week ahead.

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