1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Many people today misunderstand what resurrection means. There is too much emphasis on dead bodies coming back to life. Movies depict the dangers of the dead coming back as evil or spiritually twisted. We know Jesus came back from the dead and this was the Resurrection, but Paul gives a different interpretation of what resurrection can mean for us Christians. In fact Paul empahses the transformation in our lives.
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:52 ESV
Before this verse Paul talks about a biblical mystery in which some will not die but all of us are transformed. As a mystery, we take it in faith what is being said is true although it is difficult to understand the logic, this will all be explained to us later.
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Corinthians 15:51 ESV
We know that Jesus was transfigured while on Earth and His appearance was changed.
And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.
Luke 9:29 ESV
Paul later goes to tell us how the things of this world will not enter the kingdom of God. Those things which are temporal will not do, but rather are bodies will changed into something better, something everlasting.
I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
1 Corinthians 15:50 ESV
In order to resurrect, we must fully die. Even today, some people believe that Jesus did not truly die. That Jesus did not physically die or go to the afterlife. Jesus did die and he died for us. He went to Hell for us just as he died for us. .
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV
The Resurrection that Jesus went through was real death and a real return back to life. However, the resurrection that Paul is talking about is us dying to ourselves. We need to die to this world. We have to die to ourselves, to this world, to our desires, to all that we would hold onto. It is not easy to do, but Jesus gives us the victory to do this.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:54 ESV
Christians are not perfect people. We have died to ourselves but we still face temptations. The resurrection we experience allows us to live as Jesus and show love to everyone. This is the transformation which Paul talks about.
Christians still commit sins. Even those who confess that they are crucified with Christ and have been baptized will fall into sin. Yet we need to do our best to stay out of sin. Christ has done the work and will give us the strength to overcome and forgive us when we don't.
God is doing a good work in us, let us continue to show our love and do works so that the Holy Spirit can further transform us.
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