Dear Church of the Open Bible,
Over the years, as one grows in Christ, there will be particular passages of Scripture that become precious. It might be as one studies together in a group, or a certain sermon passage, or reading one-on-one with someone else. God uses the sharpness of His word to speak truth to our souls, through conviction and encouragement, to make us more like Jesus. The number of precious passages in my own life is slowly growing, but one of them is 1 Corinthians 15.
Over ten years ago, as an associate pastor of our previous church, we were going through 1 Corinthians and I had the privilege of preaching part of chapter 15. Paul powerfully describes the gospel and its implications for those who receive it. Do you want to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Cor 15:58)? Then understand what Christ’s resurrection actually means for you. It guarantees our resurrection and life with Him (1 Cor 15:21-22). Paul describes this goal elsewhere, too.
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
The resurrection of believers is important because it's part of the gospel. It's not an add-on. It’s part of the good news. In fact, the news isn't really that great without it. We are not only saved from sin and death, but we are saved to new life! When we sell short the life we are saved to, we sell short the gospel.
As I get older, 1 Corinthians 15 becomes more precious. The more sin, death, and brokenness I experience, the more my hope in Christ grows. Does your salvation include living with Christ, and what does that mean for you today?