Eternal Consequences
“O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 from Hosea 13:14
Death – The Bible often seems to personify death. Perhaps that’s because the Bible doesn’t conceive of death as simply a biological phenomenon. Living things die. Their biological functions stop. But when it comes to human beings, that isn’t the end. In spite of all appearances to the contrary, we continue. Our lack of evidence for eternal existence must be supplied by faith, not sight. That’s why the resurrection is at the very center of God’s display. It is faith confirmed.
For this reason, death itself is deceitful. It presents a picture of the world that isn’t true. It deludes us into thinking that all that matters is what happens before my body expires. It seduces us into believing that the one who dies with the most toys wins. It traps us in temporary accumulation and provisional power. In this regard, death may be life’s greatest deception. If I don’t work my way past this great delusion, I will live fruitlessly.
Of course, death is still tragic. The other side of the biblical picture is that death is an aberration. It is not supposed to be part of God’s blessed creation. It doesn’t belong. That is another reason why it is deceitful. It paints the wrong picture of the good God who loves what He makes. It is a terrible reminder that the universe is out of alignment. But it is only a reminder for those who have stepped beyond the appearances of this horizon. If we stick with the “evidence” and reject the revelation, we will never see beyond the grave. In order to have the right perspective on life, we must rely on a message that comes from beyond life as it is. The only cure for the deceitfulness of death is faith in a loving God.
Paul “quotes” Hosea. But Paul changes a few things along the way. Hosea says, “O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your ruin?” Clearly, Paul modifies Hosea. But his modification is warranted. He does not intend to provide an exact citation. He intends his readers to reflect on the meaning of Hosea in the context of the resurrection. Go back to 1 Corinthians 15:51. Paul is revealing a “mystery.” What is that mystery? Death isn’t the end! Death does not triumph! The tragedy it wreaks is overcome through the victory of the Anointed One. Paul looks back at the prophets to discover the same theme. He finds Hosea and Isaiah.
Is the purpose of Paul’s declaration of victory simply consolation that “we will all be changed?” No. Why do we declare the defeat of death? Paul tells us. Death’s defeat means that we can “be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain.” Did you notice that there is not a word about getting to heaven? Paul’s focus is on the permanence of work here! What we do lasts because it is not swallowed up in death. So, keep at it! Your toil has eternal consequences.
Topical Index: death, Hosea 13:14, 1 Corinthians 13:55, victory
good morning all! Our Father’s richest blessings to you today!
Hallelujah for the cross! Hallelujah for the empty tomb! Christ was/is victorious!.. Amen!
He is now, (today) the “keeper of the keys”, of death, sin, and the grave. He has the keys to all! King of kings, Lord of lords- By His death, burial and resurrection He has declared to all- (as it is written)- “the LORD, He is G-d.” Yes..I’ll ask the question once again- “who is this king of glory?”
We are learning (line upon line and precept upon precept) of this carpenter’s son from Nazareth. We are learning daily- He is not exactly who we thought He was. We are learning, day by day, He not only spoke the truth, but He was/is the Truth and His words give life.
Death is separation. I like your description brother Skip of death being an “aberration”. Excellent choice of words! Death- a rip in the fabric of life. A nice slap in the face. A bucket of ice water thrown on us unexpectedly. Smelly, horrible, noxious, hateful Death. A separating aberration. Those we love forever taken from us.
We weep. We anguish. We hurt in places we never knew we had places. And then- we remember. Hallelujah! we remember! O death! (listen up death- I’m talkin’ to you!) O death!- where is your sting? lol!! O grave! (I’m talkin’ to you!-are you listening?) where is your victory! Both of you have been defeated by our Champion! woooohoooooo! We serve a LIVING Savior! Christ is the Victor! Not was, not shall be.. IS.
Now it is our turn. Every day (every moment) I live, the seconds flow by like the outgoing tide. I am being swept out to sea and there is nothing I can cling to stop this from happening. I am going to die. (btw.. U2.) I will go the way of all flesh and at a very rude and unexpected moment. Death will come for me.
Pretty morbid stuff. (pretty/morbid?). Is there any hope? Is there “an anchor?” Is there a “cure” for this disease called death? (smiling yet?) Yes!- oh yes!- oh yes!
“Remember His words.” For starters, “He has said” (it is written!) Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this..?” (John 11.26)
I’d like to get me a “tat” today. Here is what it’s gonna say: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) One more time- please.. To live:Christ. To die: gain. (that’s what He said!)
“Paul tells us. Death’s defeat means that we can “be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain.” Did you notice that there is not a word about getting to heaven? Paul’s focus is on the permanence of work here! What we do lasts because it is not swallowed up in death. So, keep at it! Your toil has eternal consequences.”
Skip,
Thank you for this…I needed it. As I said yesterday on our phone conversation, and also wrote in my newsletter for my ministry, sometimes as I am working/toiling in the fields I wonder and cry out to Him, “Is this really worth it?” “Is this going to really make any difference?” Especially working with the at-risk youth population I work with I wonder if any of my toil means anything to anyone. And then I get my answer. My gracious loving father God shares with me through one of the kids I am working with that, as you said, “Keep it up! Your toil has eternal consequenses.”
Wednesday I met with a friend of mine that runs a mentoring program for high-end at-risk youthful offenders. He told me that 3 of the kids he works with need beds. One of them, Charlie, has really never had a bed of his own and he is 17. So, this morning through some digging around I will be purchasing 3 NEW beds, complete with sheets and pillows and comforters. Some ask why, and I say it’s because THIS IS what Jesus would do! Know that His toil is eternal. And that is what we all need to do. While studying His word is exilerating and exciting, to me NOTHING is more exillerating and exciting and I feel brings me closer to Him as when I stop what I am doing, put everthing on hold, and respond to a blind man along the side of the road or stop for a woman who just needed a touch…or dropping everthing to buy a bed for Charlie.
Thanks Skip.
PS: Skip challenged me next time to put it out there to the community to let everyone know that there is a need like this and I told him I will accept the challenge…because as I have found out, we need to allow others the opportunity to relieve our burdens and the burdens of others. Galations 6:12. God bless you all.
Hi Tim,
I got your newsletter and At God’s Table will be sending funds for the beds. I also think it would be great for the rest of the community to have a chance to read it, so with your permission, I will post it up on the web site. Always nice to know who’s doing what.
Skip,
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Things are a bit crazy. I guess God knew I would need the help. It seems funds for the beds are needed, so thank you Skip,….thank you Father God, our Provider.
And yes you have my permission to post the newsletter. I would be honored and blessed.
Tim
Hi Tim,
I work with the youth like this in PA. Is your newsletter on a website? It’s good to connect with others doing the same works so that we can encourage one another and help each other.
God bless you for your heart!….and your works!
Donna
Donna,
Now it’s not however I can email you a copy. If you want you can email me at one2one@go-concepts.com and I can email you a copy. Also my website is http://www.2mentor.org.
Thank you.
Tim
I loved this! I also think that death is part of the curse as a consequence of sin in the Garden of Eden.
The grief and pain of someone dying is not what God intended in the garden. The Bible does not deny the hardest part of life, but Praise God, gives us a view of reality that makes sense. Our world right now is fallen – hence earthquakes in Haiti. And sin must be really horrific, if one of its consequences is death. (Not to mention the necessity of the cross.)
My non-Christian friends up here in the secular Northeast listen to this argument, where they won’t agree to much about Jesus.
Great message Skip. “Death is deceitful.” Yes indeed. Every aspect of scripture always goes back to the Garden of Eden. It makes me recall how God says to the woman, in Genesis 2:17, in essence, if you incorporate your desires into my moral equation, then great disorder will enter your life and you WILL die. Then the serpent cunningly states in Genesis 3:3 by telling her “…you will not die (yet).”
Now, every aspect of the world’s culture and constructs (most of all seen in the West) is fear-based and centers around the fear of death (i.e. insurance, military, medicine, education, marketing (anti-aging etc.))
I think it’s interesting how in II Corinthians 3:3, Paul brings the Corinthians back to the Garden of Eden and admonishes them not to allow their minds to be twisted as Eve’s was and to be WHOLEHEARTED, sincere and with pure devotion, serve Christ.
It’s easy as Christians to be distracted with surviving (i.e. insurance, taxes, health, mortgage, fundraising…) and subconsciously be driven by the fear of death as well, instead of just thriving in the eternal Lord, putting the Kingdom first and then allowing all the others things be added accordingly.
An awesome scripture that ties it all together for me in light of what you wrote (“What we do lasts because it is not swallowed up in death”) is Colossians 3:3 — For we have died and our life is hidden with Christ.”
We’ve already died (in the truest sense) so ultimately, we should not fear the death that everyone does that comes with THIS world. Our lives are now hidden with that which is eternal so when Christ is fully revealed, then we will as well, including everything He invested in us. Whoa!! It’s like the little orphan girl, Anna, who told her adopted guardian, Fynn, “…when we get to heaven, I think we get turned inside out.” (From the book, “Mister God, This is Anna — a great read by the way).
This is a wonderful insight that connects a lot of dots. Thanks Christine. I guess I have more to write about.
Dr. Skip: I fully agree with your opening comment. When a growing stalk of corn matures, dies and continues to stand we look at the whole stalk as dead. However long the kernels of corn remain from the earth they can “tarry” for years (or lay dormant). Between the time we “physically die” and the resurrection there is a time of “dormancy.” We can assume that those who are in Christ will be with Christ and will return to rule with him at a specific time.
Yes we may be dead physically–but I believe we are alive “in Christ” for ever more.