Will Death Win in the End?

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 
–  1 Corinthians 15:55

Spoiler alert: When life ends for Christians … death ends up as one big loser.

 

In 1 Corinthians 15:54, the Apostle Paul says it straight out: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” In verse 55, he continues, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” He’s basically trash-talking death: “Is that ALL you got?”

 

But honestly, even for Christians, death still stings, doesn’t it? I officiated a funeral recently for a 44-year-old Christian woman. Her family took comfort in knowing that she is safe in Jesus’ arms. Verses like Luke 23:43, Acts 7:55-59 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 indicate that when Christians die, our souls and spirits immediately enter the presence of the Lord in heaven. But for her loved ones, the woman’s death at such a young age still stung.

 

However, don’t forget: For Christians, death’s victory and sting are only temporary. As Paul writes, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 57). Paul is so thankful because Jesus has given us three different victories:

 

Victory #1: Jesus has given us victory over sin. As Paul writes in verse 56, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” Because of the law, we are justly declared guilty of sin and the death penalty that sin brings. The law keeps us from pleading ignorance when we sin. When we do things that God’s law clearly says we “shall not” do, we can’t play dumb.

 

Victory #2: Jesus has given us victory over the condemnation of the law. Praise God, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

 

Victory #3: Jesus has given us victory over death. This bears repeating, because it wouldn’t be possible without the other two victories. Leon Morris, a pastor and theologian, says it very well: “It is not ‘death’ in itself that is harmful; it is that death that is ‘the wages of sin’ (Rom. 6:23) that matters. Death, considered simply as the passing out of this life into the immediate presence of the Lord, is a gain, not a loss (Phil. 1:21,23).”

 

When Jesus returns, He will conquer death once and for all. When our old bodies are transformed into their new and improved versions, He will even reverse the damage death has done in Christians’ lives. Jesus will strip death of its victories and remove its stinger … forever.

 

The fact of the resurrection makes everything in your life so meaningful! So, that resurrection should motivate you to get up and get to work for Jesus. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v. 58).

 

If you believe in the truth of the resurrection and are convinced that there will be a Judgment Day, you have every reason to work hard and make sacrifices for Jesus. And thanks to Him, you know that your work and sacrifices are totally meaningful.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.