I Corinthians 15:54b - 57:
...Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ did the one thing that no other man has ever accomplished - He over came death!
Victory over death has been the great passion of men throughout the ages. In spite of all of man's efforts, no one has ever conquered death, except the lord Jesus Christ. It was God, Who in His grace and mercy, offered us the victory over death as well, through His wonderful son.
Death is that one condition that has plagued man throughout history. It originated with Adam's transgression and has tormented man ever since.
Romans 5:12:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned.
The one and only victor over death is our brother, the lord Jesus Christ. He took care of the sin issue so that man could be set free from the only ending available to him--death. Jesus Christ accomplished works eradicated death for those who believe on him. This act of love went so far as to make available the gift of righteousness and allows us to "reign in life".
Romans 5:17and 18:
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
God's grace has so reigned that you and I can reign in life, because we have eternal life by Jesus Christ our lord.
Romans 5:21:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our lord.
Now that just has to be one of the greatest realities man can discover! Praise God for his infallible Word!
The next verse after the Romans 5:21 that we just read asks a logical question that requires a proper response.
Romans 6:1 and 2:
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
This is a good question. God's Word offers the right answer.
Romans 6:11-13:
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our lord.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness.
God in all His love, mercy and grace solved the dilemma of death for all mankind through His wonderful son Jesus Christ. Our response should be as those who have discovered themselves "alive from the dead." What a reality to know!
Now we have a purpose for living and someone to live for, because we are free from death and have eternal life abiding within.
When will the finalization of this reality of "death being swallowed up in victory" come to pass? Let God answer that:
I Corinthians 15:52-54:
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory".
With a knowledge of this truth we can only say, "Thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57).
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