1 Corinthians 15: Resurrection = Freedom from Sin

What is so important about the resurrection? Hearing of dead people, people all dead not mostly dead, walking around is weird and reminiscent of something out of a science fiction or horror movie. Do I even need to believe such a thing to be a Christian?

This is the same question that Paul was facing in the Corinthian church. People were denying the resurrection of the dead (v. 12-19), but Paul would have none of that. In fact the resurrection is so central to the Christian faith that without Christ rising from the dead there is nothing to believe in (v. 19). So what does the resurrection effectively do for those who trust in Christ?

Verse 22 states, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (NIV) Simply, being human makes us sinners—just turn on the news and we can see that—but those who trust in Christ are raised with him into new life. Though this may be difficult to understand, it means we are born again (John 3:3) and a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). We are now something different from what we were before, sin has been defeated in us and we can live freely from it (1 Cor 15:55-57).

In verse 58, Paul charges the Corinthians and us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain. We are able to do these things because Christ has been resurrected. Therefore, the resurrection gives us the hope and strength to live lives worthy of Christ. The resurrection may seem strange to us at first but it is foundational to the Christian faith and life.

Posted by Aaron