WHAT IS THE POINT OF OUR LIFE?

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Key verse: 31

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)

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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.

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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

If there is no resurrection, we are bound by our sin and failures, and death is the end of the story. If there is no resurrection, our faith is futile and we are stuck in our sin (17). If there is no resurrection, there is no hope beyond our failures and we live the remainder of life numbed by addictions or temporary distractions, which the world offers in abundance.

Resurrection faith is the faith that there is life beyond our sin and shame. There is a grace and power that can overcome all our fears and failures. We no longer have to try to ignore our sins, but we can face our sins and failures knowing that Jesus died and rose again to destroy the power of sin and death. Paul faced death every day (31). Although he went through many hardships as a missionary, he also came to Jesus and found forgiveness, grace, and a new life purpose as a fearless minister of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus can also give our life new joy, passion, and purpose.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for rising from the dead and giving us the courage to face our sin and failures with the hope of your resurrection.

One Word: Come back to your senses