What it Means to Die Daily
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34(NASB)
29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 30 Why are we also in danger every hour? 31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
SUMMARY
Paul points out that practice of baptizing for the dead is meaningful only if the Corinthians believe in the resurrection. He goes on to say that he is not afraid of facing any danger even death for the sake of the gospel because of his firm belief in the resurrection of Jesus and eternal life. Paul urges the Corinthians to become sober-minded and stop living in sin and pleasure.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
This passage illustrates the difference between lifestyles of a person who believes in resurrection and a person who does not. Paul was the last person to encounter resurrected Jesus (1 Corin. 15:8). He firmly believed that those who believe the resurrection of Jesus will rise from the dead and have eternal life. Since he knew that this life on earth is a glimpse of eternity, he did not mind putting his life in danger daily for the sake of the gospel (vv.30-31). In contrast, a person without believing in resurrection lives to fulfill the lust of the flesh- “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die (v. 32). There is no hope or purpose except to live in sin and pleasure.
APPLICATION
After meditating on today’s passage, I spent some time questioning and examining myself if I ever had the attitude of “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” I am surely guilty of that in some areas of my life. I tend to forget what Christ has done for me on the cross and the power of resurrection when temptations come and make wrong choices to fulfill the lust of the flesh. I need to live my present life with an eternal perspective just like Paul did and invest my time and energy in what will last for eternity.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of this truth. Please forgive me for not having eternal perspective and wasting my life in sin and pleasure of this world. You have made a way for me to live eternally with you. Help me not to forget what you have done on the cross and power of resurrection. Help me to truly live a Christ-following life each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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