DAILY DEVOTION, 7/9/211

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Corinthians 15:56-57 NLT).

“Death”, a reality that we do not like to think about. Because of sin, death entered the world, and death stings! Death can be very painful. It hurts the one who dies, and it hurts the ones left behind. Elsewhere Paul described death as our last enemy. We all know that death is inevitable, but we try to put it off as long as possible. As a teenager, I knew about death, but it seemed so far away. At my current age, my thoughts about death have changed! Death stings; death is our enemy.

Then Paul gives us the “but.” We can thank God because we have been promised victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. We still don’t like death, but now we have hope. Our Lord suffered the agonies of Calvary on our behalf. We have Jesus’ promise, “He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.” What a glorious paradox! Yes, our mortal bodies will one day wear out, and we will make a one-way trip to the funeral home. On the other hand, Jesus “gives” us victory. We die, yet we live. We enter into that holy reality called heaven. What a blessing it is to trust in Jesus. If He is your Savior you will still die, but the life that follows is glorious beyond our comprehension.

Father, I am so grateful for Jesus and the wonderful gift He has given to me. May I always honor Him as my Savior and Lord. In His name, I pray, Amen.