When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Let’s take a moment today to reflect on the incredible power and goodness of the God who loves us.
According to the Holy Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus has defeated our ultimate enemy: sin and death.
Because of His death and resurrection, we will not sleep. Instead, we will be changed. In the twinkling of an eye, we will be raised imperishable. And death itself will be swallowed up in victory.
The Holy Spirit, in verse 55, taunts death directly: “Where is your victory? Where is your sting?”
In other words, we have won! Thanks be to God!
Through our faith in Christ’s sacrifice, we live today victorious over sin, over death, and over the Evil One.
The one thing that has haunted all of humanity—the fear of death—has been defeated. Death no longer gets the last word. Jesus does.
And because of this victory, the Holy Spirit invites us to do two things:
First, we are to stand firm. The world will try to shake our faith. But we stand firm on the truth that Christ is risen and death is defeated.
Second, we are to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
And why wouldn’t we? If Christ is victorious—if death is not the end—then our work for the Lord is never in vain. Even if our mortal bodies pass away, what is immortal will live forever.
Every effort we make on earth, on behalf of this great Savior, will matter for all of eternity.
So let’s never give up hope. Stand firm.
And let’s never stop committing ourselves fully to the God who loves us and gave Himself for us.
Prayer
Thank you today for Jesus and victory over sin and death. I look forward to the day when I will see You face to face. But until that moment, give me strength to stand firm. And give me the power to commit myself fully to You. Amen.