Anna Kainulainen
11.26.2020
1 Corinthians 15-16
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds the church of the gospel. He stresses the importance of believing in the gospel and the resurrection if you truly believe in Jesus. This is the foundational belief of Christianity: that Jesus died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose on the third day. Paul explains that Christ has been raised from the dead, yet if Christ has not been raised from the dead that we are still lost in our sins. In addition, Paul emphasizes that we are made alive in Christ. Christ brings hope, forgiveness, eternal life if we believe in him and follow him. Chapter 15 continues with people being ignorant and living lives away from God. Paul writes about our bodies being perishable, for one day we will be raised into heaven and live an eternal life with Jesus Christ. We are of the earth now, but we need to remember that one day we will be of heaven. Because of this, Paul stresses that we need to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord and live like there is a reason and a purpose for our lives here on earth. Chapter 16 discusses the collection of money and saving of money. Then it concludes by reminding the church to be strong in their faith and devoted to the Lord.
A key verse from these chapters is 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says:
“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.”
This verse changes my vision of God because it reminds me to stay strong in my faith and be devoted to God constantly. When I am overwhelmed with the struggles of life, I need to remember that my God is stronger. When I am feeling weak, I need to stand firm in my faith. When I am feeling stressed, I need to devote myself to God. In every circumstance, we need to stay firm in our faith and we need to be devoted to God.
I see Jesus in this verse because Jesus was the ultimate example of someone who stood firm in his faith. When people mocked him, betrayed him, or denied him, Jesus was still devoted to God. In the hardest moments of his life, he leaned on God for us…because he loved us that much. How can you live like Jesus? How can you make your faith unshakeable? How can you devote yourself to God?
2020 Bible Vision 