Flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom. So how can we enter God's kingdom then? The mystery is: we will all be changed in a flash at the last trumpet. The perishable will be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. At that moment death will be swallowed up in victory. Where then is death's victory and sting (55)? Death's sting is sin, and sin's power is the law. But thanks be to God, we have victory in and through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Paul concludes this powerful chapter on the resurrection with a "therefore." What, therefore, should we do? We should stand firm in the gospel and not be moved or shaken by doubts or enemies (1,58). We should always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. Why? Because labor in the Lord is never a useless waste.

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last."

--C.T.Studd (1860-1931)


Application: Father, thank you for the hope and promise we have in Jesus Christ our Lord. May our lives bring him glory, honor and praise. Amen.
One Word: Therefore, live and labor for Jesus