Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Resurrection-Celebrating New Life in Christ
“For as in
Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”(V.22)
The philosopher Socrates once said,
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” Every time I read this quote, I find it
to be a helpful reminder in my life. Sometimes we get caught up in the “busyness”
of life, and therefore do not spend enough time in reflection about whether we
are fulfilling our true purpose in life. We have to guard against this
busyness, because it can consume us and conceal life’s meaning and purpose.
This devotion is based on I Corinthians
chapter 15, verses 20-28, and in this portion, Apostle Paul provides his
readers with the hope of new life through Jesus Christ. In chapter 15, Paul
discusses the resurrection of Christ, the fact that it is linked to the
resurrection from death for all believers, and his triumph over death.
An important point, is the way that Paul
contrasts the results we would have under Adam to the results under Christ;
mortality to immortality, sinfulness to purity, despair to hope. Through the
simple statement “for as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive”,
we become focused upon the reality that without Christ we are not alive.
Through Adam, we are led down the path of false hope, focusing on worldly goals
and temptations. We willingly live lives that are just mere “husks” of what we
are meant to be!
Christ’s own resurrection provides us hope
for life eternal, and it also represents the first fruits of those that have
fallen asleep. In the Old Testament, the first fruits were offerings by
believers; these offerings were dedicated to God in recognition of His
faithfulness for providing the necessities of life. The first fruits are
offered as the first bundle of the coming harvest. Not only do we gain life
through Christ, but his resurrection is an indication of the complete harvest
that is yet to come. It is an indication of the resurrection and eternal life
that is available to us, since Christ has conquered death.
Therefore brothers and sisters, what are
we to do with our lives? Paul ends I Corinthians chapter 15 by stating, “my
dear brothers, 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.” Paul underlines the importance of giving ourselves “fully” to the
work of the Lord. Our role in the world is to be immersed in the work of the
Lord, while constantly knowing that we are not “of” the world. It is through
this focus on the work of the Lord that we are able to avoid the “busyness” of
life, and instead unlock the purpose of the life we are meant to lead.
Prayer: “Our Father, we thank You for Your Son, and for his resurrection and
victory over death. Through Christ, we have been given new life, and
everlasting hope. We are grateful for this gift, and ask that we might also
give our first fruits to You. This we ask in Your name, Amen.”
Thought for the day: Sin separates us from God but the empty
tomb tells us that the one who died on the cross and rose again for us has
forgiven our sins.
Charles.
V. Abraham, St Johns MTC, New York