Christ’s resurrection is not merely a historical fact that is remote and unrelated to us. Resurrection is a present process and a principle that governs all our Christian experiences. Interwoven into 1 Corinthians 15, Paul highlights at least 9 aspects of how resurrection relates to us today.
1) Our ongoing salvation in life
Through which also you are being saved… –1 Cor. 15:2
2) Our labor in the Lord
…I labored more abundantly than all of them, yet not I but the grace of God which is with me. –1 Cor. 15:10
…Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. –1 Cor. 15:58
3) Our inheriting the kingdom of God
…When He delivers up the kingdom to His God and Father, once He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. –1 Cor. 15:24
… Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. –1 Cor. 15:50
4) Our daily living
Why also do we brave danger every hour? I protest by the boasting in you, brothers, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily… If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. –1 Cor. 15:30-32
5) Our spiritual origin, nature, and expression
…The first man is out of the earth, earthy; the second man is out of heaven. As the earthy is, such are they also that are earthy; and as the heavenly is, such are they also that are heavenly. And even as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. –1 Cor. 15:47-49
6) Our glorification
There is another glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory… It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power… –1 Cor. 15:41-43
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed. –1 Cor. 15:51
7) Our victory over death, through the swallowing up of death
Death, the last enemy, is being abolished. –1 Cor. 15:26
And when this corruptible will put on incorruption and this mortal will put on immortality, then the word which is written will come to pass, ‘Death has been swallowed up unto 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. –1 Cor. 15:54-56
8) Our knowing God’s power and economy
Awake from the drunken stupor righteously and do not sin, for some of you are ignorant of God… –1 Cor. 15:34
9) Our social life
Do not be deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. –1 Cor. 15:33
conversant faith 
Great post! I especially appreciate you’re pointing out that resurrection isn’t just a historical fact but a present process and principle. If we merely appreciate the historical fact of resurrection, we’re robbed of the opportunity to experience resurrection in our daily Christian living and service. As you point out, 1 Cor. 15 definitely helps to bring the matter of resurrection into our experience.
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Thanks John-Paul. When I dug into 1 Cor 15 I was amazed at how relevant resurrection is today! Have you had many conversations about resurrection with people on the gospel? Would love to hear what you’ve run into.
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Well, I’ve had a few conversations about resurrection with people, but not enough. I’m looking forward to attempting to make resurrection relevant to those whom I speak with in the near future.
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