“‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57
What is the greatest comeback you have ever seen?
I was watching the Chicago Bears play the Atlanta Falcons in football this past week. Through the whole game Atlanta had the lead. In fact, with only 5 minutes left in the game, Atlanta was winning by 10 points and they had the ball. All seemed lost for the Bears. Then everything changed. The Bears stopped Atlanta and then scored a touchdown. Atlanta got the ball back, but the Bears stopped them again and scored another touchdown. The bears won the game! (Sorry ATL fans)
No Hope for Mankind
When mankind fell into sin, death entered the world and the condemnation of hell became the future of every human being. This is the result of rebelling against God.
What can we do?
Some would say that we should just try to live good lives and be nice to people. If we are good people, God will let us unto heaven. However, that’s not what God says.
God gave us His Law in the 10 Commandments and other places. He didn’t say, “Do your best,” or “Try to get close.” He told us how well we have to do in Matthew 5:48.
“You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
How do you do against that standard? If you are like me, not very good. Against the standard of perfection, we see that the Law does not provide a way to be good enough to get into heaven. The Law only condemns us, each sin building a case against us. If that’s all we had, there would be no hope. Thankfully, God provides another way.
Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!!
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the grave death was swallowed up in victory. Jesus has defeated death and hell.
Through faith in Jesus, His victory becomes our victory. Jesus washes away our sins. The sting of death is sin, but since we have no sin, death has no victory or sting. No longer does death have any power over us, but we have eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Praise the Lord!!
Dear Jesus,
I confess that I have sinned. If You kept a record of my sins, I could never stand before You. Thank You for dying for me. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for saving me.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Copyright 2022, Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel. All Rights Reserved.