1 Corinthians: Not in VainSýnishorn

'Maybe I’d believe in an afterlife if there was someone who’d actually experienced it and could come back to tell us.’ 

Our last passage presented the dire state of affairs if Jesus hasn’t been raised from the dead. But thankfully, as Paul underlined in chapter 15 verses 1–8 and now states again here in verse 20, the Christian faith is grounded in the reality that Christ has been raised. And so this is the bedrock of our confidence that we too will one day rise from death. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our resurrection. 

Why? Because Jesus is the ‘first fruits’ of a bumper resurrection harvest (v. 20). Imagine a farmer seeing the first shoots of corn rising up from the soil. He knows this means the full crop is on its way. Likewise, as we see Jesus rising from death with a glorious body, we’re to know this will happen to us. His resurrection is a preview of every Christian’s future. 

After all, our resurrection isn’t some sideshow, or some periphery matter. It’s a vital closing step in God’s eternal plan for the whole world. When Jesus returns, we will then be raised to life (v. 23), and it’s only after this has happened that Jesus will be able to hand over the kingdom to God the Father (v. 24). That’s because it’s only once we’ve been raised to life that death, the last enemy, will have been totally destroyed. 

Interestingly, it seems much more common for Christians to talk about ‘heaven’ or ‘life after death’, rather than a bodily resurrection. But that is specifically what Paul wants to show us; we will rise to new life in real, physical bodies. 

And this isn’t just a new doctrine to learn. It is to change how we live, here and now. Take a look at Paul’s example in verses 30–34. Knowing we will rise again means that we can use our lives in radical and costly service of the gospel and of others. 

Reflection

Spend some time giving thanks to God for our future resurrection. Consider how being confident of this glorious future might make you more willing to sacrificially serve Christ in the present.