“‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
I encourage you to take 15 minutes today to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 for a very thought-provoking quiet time with the Lord.
Death is inevitable, but it was never part of God’s original plan. That’s why it feels so unnatural and unfair—we were not created to die! As powerful as death is, though, something is far more powerful—and that is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Not only can we have hope for the future in Christ, but today’s verse says we can also have victory over sin right now!
This is so wonderful to think about, I could write and write. But basically what I want to take from this verse is that I don’t have to be defeated by my sinful nature, nor by my fear of dying, any longer. Because I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I am no longer a slave to the requirements of God’s law. Jesus conquered death once and for all when he rose from the grave, and he gives me power through him to conquer the sins that still plague me. And my physical death is just the end of my earthly story and the beginning of my heavenly story. Praise God!
How does this play out in my everyday life? Well, as far as my sinful nature goes, I don’t have to be a slave to food anymore. When I’m tempted to overeat, I can pray that God will show me a way out. He also encourages me when I stumble, that slip-up doesn’t mean I’m a failure. As far as my view of death, I can encourage others to be less focused on their fear of death and more focused on building their relationship with God.
How can you apply these verses to your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
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