~3 min read
Ps Paul Cheng
1 Corinthians 15:30-31
“…it has to do with our services for Christ…”
Dear Bethelites,
In our previous pastoral chat, we have learned that if the resurrection is true, then it should motivate us to believe and be baptised. Today, we want to consider the second point, and it has to do with our services for Christ.
I. Be Motivated To Withstand Danger
1 Corinthians 15:30, And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? The word jeopardy can mean danger. Why did the Apostle Paul go through life taking such great risks? Why did he live a life facing the dangers of being persecuted, beaten up, arrested, and knowing that he could be killed at any moment? It would not make any sense if the resurrection was not true.
Consider the kind of dangers Paul had gone through. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Why was Paul willing to go through all these dangers? It was all because the resurrection was true! That was the reason why he was willing to face all the danger presented to him, and potential danger ahead of him.
Dear friend, if this life is all we have, then we should hang onto it, don’t take any risk, and make sure we live safely, because this is all we have. When we stand for the faith, and share the gospel, we may be rejected, mocked, attacked, persecuted, and even face death. Once we lose it, we can never get it back! But if we believe in a physical resurrection, then we will be willing to face all the risks and dangers that may come our way because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Even if the danger becomes a reality, and we are persecuted unto death, we will go to be with Christ. Our bodies will be buried, but someday, they will be resurrected to be united with our souls in a glorified state. So, what is the worst thing the danger can do to us? The worst thing it can do to us is to take us home to be with Christ. In reality, the worst thing is actually the best thing!
During the recent Covid-19 virus outbreak, it was not easy for the believers to go to church, especially those who were in their evening years, because they were most vulnerable to the deadly disease. We heard news of terrifying statistics of Covid-related deaths on television, and the strict restrictions of social distancing imposed upon indoor and outdoor gathering to prevent the possibility of contracting and spreading the virus. Why did the believers still try their best to come to church and worship God as their utmost priority? Wasn’t it easier for them to consider, “What if I were to contract the virus? Why do I have to take the risk to come to church?”
But our Lord Jesus was risen from the dead, and because He was the firstfruit of the resurrection, there will be this resurrection harvest of the believers which we will be a part of. This is not the only life we have, and we look beyond this life, unto the ultimate complete redemption of both our body and soul. This is what motivates us to live for Christ in the midst of danger. This is what motivates missionaries to venture into uncharted and dangerous territories to evangelise. It is all because of the resurrection!
This was what motivated Paul, for he said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. The original Greek word for rejoicing can mean glorying. In other words, he was proud of the Corinthians whom he had obtained in Christ through ministering to them. It was not in a proud and self-glorifying way because he invoked the name, Christ Jesus our Lord. For the sake of Christ and the blessed hope of the resurrection, he was willing even to die daily or ready to die at every moment.
Dear friend, in view of our future resurrection, this is how we should live our lives as well. To the glory of God!
(To be continued in the next pastoral chat)
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
1 CORINTHIANS 15The Essence Of The Gospel MessageThe Essence Of The Gospel Message1 Corinthians 15:1-11
What If The Resurrection Is Not True?What If The Resurrection Is Not True?1 Corinthians 15:12-19
What Christ’s Resurrection Would EntailWhat Christ’s Resurrection Would Entail1 Corinthians 15:20-28
How The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 1) — Motivated To Believe And Be BaptisedHow The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 1) — Motivated To Believe And Be Baptised1 Corinthians 15:29
How The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 2) — Motivated To Withstand DangerHow The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 2) — Motivated To Withstand Danger1 Corinthians 15:30-31
How The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 3) — Motivated To Suffer And To Live Godly LivesHow The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 3) — Motivated To Suffer And To Live Godly Lives1 Corinthians 15:32-34