BECAUSE THERE IS RESURRECTION…

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Key verse: 33

NIV

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?(A) 31 I face death every day(B)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts(C) in Ephesus(D) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”[a](E)

33 Do not be misled:(F) “Bad company corrupts good character.”[b](G) 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God(H)—I say this to your shame.(I)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we (A)in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by (B)my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, (C)I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, (D)I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, (E)“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 (F)Do not be deceived: (G)“Bad company ruins good morals.”[a] 34 (H)Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For (I)some have no knowledge of God. (J)I say this to your shame.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Probably from Menander's comedy Thais
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. I face death every day (29-32a).

Paul’s secret to living such a sacrificial, dynamic, victorious, meaningful, and joyful life was the resurrection. To glorify God and to help save others, he endangered himself every hour. He fought against wild beasts in Ephesus. He was severely flogged, stoned, shipwrecked; in danger from rivers, Gentiles, bandits, fellow Jews, false believers; he went without sleep, food, drink and clothing. (2 Cor 11:23-26) But the more he suffered for Christ, the more joy he had. He was more than a conqueror.

2. Do not be misled (32b-34).

Bad company doesn’t believe the resurrection. Instead, they believe death is the end. Therefore, their philosophy is, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' This can easily corrupt good character. We should not be misled. Such a life is meaningless and worthless. People only seeking a pleasure-filled life can never satisfy their souls and are, in fact, dying every day. We should rather lead them to come back to their senses, stop sinning and live a holy, joyful, meaningful, and victorious life.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live a sacrificial, dynamic and victorious life of resurrection even leading the bad company to believe in Jesus.

One Word: Live a victorious life every day with resurrection faith!