1 Corinthians 15:29-58

Facts About Death

Most people want to focus in on this bit about being baptized for the dead. What does it mean? What is he talking about? Here is the answer: We don’t know. There are any number of explanations that can be, and have been, put forth but they are all speculation. What we should focus on in this first section is the fact that if the dead are not raised, if this life is all there is, then hedonism is the only logical philosophy to follow. But there is more than just this life, so there.

So what does this resurrection body look like? We don’t know what it will look like. Looking at our present bodies for a clue about the resurrected spiritual body is no more helpful than looking at an acorn for a clue about what an Oak tree looks like. Here are four things we do know. (And these things are far more important than looks.)

• The resurrected body will be imperishable. No wrinkles or muscular degeneration assuming we have skin and muscles.

• The resurrected body will have glory instead of dishonor. No Depends or handkerchiefs needed. No, “You’ve got bad breath,” whispers.

• The resurrected body will be powerful. I’m going to guess that one hundred of the strongest natural men wouldn’t stand a chance against the weakest resurrected infant.

• The resurrected body will be a spiritual body. In Jesus’ case He could eat fish with the disciples but He could also walk through walls and seemingly appear virtually anywhere at will. Very cool.

It’s a good thing that we will get this spiritual resurrection body because these flesh and blood bodies are no more able to possess the true kingdom than a mouse is able to drive a Maserati. And when the resurrection takes place then our ancient enemy Death will be declawed forever.

Knowing all of this it is easy to see that nothing should stand in the way of giving ourselves fully to the Lord. Because, unlike the things of this world, nothing we do for the Lord can ever be lost.