1 Corinthians 15:12-34; Psalm 30

I Cor. 15:12-34
The Greek culture of this day did not, for the most part, believe in a resurrection of the body. This passage teaches us that the bodily resurrection of Christ is central to the Christian faith. This is one of those essentials! Because Christ fulfilled His promise and rose from the dead, we can believe everything He said. He is God, and our sins are forgiven! He promises us in this passage that we also will be raised. He has the authority to tell us this because He, Himself rose from the dead. Our job is to take Him at His word.

v. 21 teaches that death came into the world through a man (Adam), but now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man (Jesus). And then "all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back." v. 23

vv. 24-28 teach us that the resurrected Christ will one day destroy all evil including death (v. 26).

I don't know what to say about v. 29 except that apparently some believers were baptized "for the dead" who had not been baptized. We don't know really know anything about this practice, but it does show that the Corinthians believed in the resurrection.  Paul is not promoting this practice but is simply arguing that the resurrection is a reality.

As more evidence that the resurrection is real and that Paul believed it, he says something like, "Why would I risk my life every day for the Lord? If it's all a lie, I might as well enjoy the moment!" However, it is not a lie but a reality that this life is simply a preparation for the next.

Paul ends this section with a warning not to listen to or be influenced by unbelievers who deny the truth because "bad company corrupts good character." v. 33

Psalm 30
David begins this Psalm by lifting up the Lord and praising Him for delivering him from his enemies and restoring his health. Then in v. 5, he reminds us that sometimes the Lord has to discipline us, but it lasts only a moment and is for our good.

When everything is going our way as in v. 6, we tend to feel self-sufficient. We must never forget that any earthly security can be disappear in an instant. When things are tough, we cry out to the Lord for help and mercy. If we're depending on God for our security, it really doesn't matter about earthly possessions. When we put God first, He will provide our material needs. (Matt. 6:19-34)