1 Corinthians 15:32–34: If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Paul asks, “Why should I be put in a lions’ cage for my faith in Christ if Christ did not rise from the dead? I am identified—I am baptized—into His death. I am identified as a dead man because I am joined to a living Christ.” Being identified with Christ in His death and resurrection is a tremendous fact! Let’s not reduce it to some little water baptismal service that would be meaningless. If Christ is not risen and if the dead will not be resurrected, then we might as well adopt the the hedonistic philosophy of the Epicureans who say, “Let us eat and drink; for to–morrow we die.” The Corinthian believers were being deceived by those who questioned the Resurrection. They were listening to those who had plenty to say but no knowledge of God. Paul is saying that if they get the wrong information, they will act wrong. He admonishes them to stop sinning—because there will be a resurrection. 1
Application
- Read Romans 13:11-14. What is the real motivation to “awake out of sleep?”
- How do you “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” to avoid sinful habits? To make no provision for the flesh means making no provision to fall back into sinful habits. That means to stay away from evil company, evil places, and evil media.
Thought to Share
If you are to put on Jesus, you should first remove selfish ambitions. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, thank you for being my Resurrection and my Life.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.