1 Corinthians 15:53 | Remember: Natural = perishable & Spiritual = imperishable. Don’t fall prey to a false dichotomy of physical (seen) vs. spiritual (unseen), but instead see that Spiritual is what completes the physical! Example: John 20:24-31, where they could both SEE and TOUCH the RISEN, SPIRITUAL BODY OF JESUS!
1 Corinthians 15:54 | What is “victory?” Victory is ultimate! The REDEEMING of evil ones. The RESTORATION of that which was lost. All through RESURRECTION of the dead. See Romans 8:18-39.
1 Corinthians 15:55 | Any kind of thinking that doesn’t have victory over death is illusory and worthless. See Isaiah 25:5-8.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 | Death comes directly from sin. Period. But the power of sin is the Law! The Law refers to the 613 commands in the first five books of the Bible (called the Torah). The Law is not bad because the Law is God’s will! But sin living in us (slowly killing us) draws its power from the Law, for the Law shows us our sin!
Therefore, the idea that somehow modifying our behavior will solve the problems of sin and death is actually sin! THE VICTORY COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST! See Romans 7:14-8:3.
1 Corinthians 15:58 | So we stand firm (remember 1 Corinthians 15:1-2!). The devil and rulers of this dark world seek to dislodge us from the Gospel (the Good News), trying to get us to take our eyes off of Jesus: the true reigning King who saved us. Because Jesus is Risen, you will rise. Knowing this, trusting in Him, let’s pour out the love and hope of this Good News for everyone…especially those with whom we struggle. We do this by loving all people unconditionally. This is the work of the Lord. And it is NOT in vain. See John 13.