One of the most insidious false doctrines to plague first century Christians was the “no resurrection” doctrine propagated by some in the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 15:12). So devastating was this doctrine to the faith of some that Paul wrote to correct it. In chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians the apostle reminded those Christians that the gospel he preached in Corinth, which they had accepted and believed, included the resurrection of Christ as its very foundation (v. 1-4). In addition, he cited a number of eyewitnesses that could testify of the validity of Christ’s resurrection (v. 5-11). Then, Paul outlined for them the consequences of rejecting the resurrection of Christ, not the least of which was there being no remission of sins and no hope for the future (v. 12-19). But, thanks be to God for the words of 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But now Christ is risen...”

Since Jesus was raised from the dead and is the personal pledge and guarantee of our future resurrection (such is the meaning behind the word “firstfruits” in v. 20), we have a strong hope that anchors our souls in the midst of the storms of life (1 Pet. 1:3-5; Heb. 6:18-20). As Paul concludes the great chapter on the resurrection, he ends it by mocking and taunting death. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (v. 55). Where is the pain and hurt that Satan would hope to inflict through death? Where is the victory that he would hope to gain through death? Death gains no victory over the child of God, for the faithful Christian will rise at the last day never to die again.

Death packs a powerful sting for those who die in sin. Satan and hell gain the victory for those who die outside of Christ, still having sin charged to their accounts. But the sting of death can be avoided through Christ. Because of that, God deserves all of the thanksgiving, honor and glory that we can offer. We can honestly echo the words of Paul, “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). Because of Christ’s resurrection from the dead we have a reason to live, and a reason to die. E. M. Bartlett wrote it this way...

O Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever,

He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood.

He loved me ere I knew him,

And all my love is due him.

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

Eddie Parrish