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3 Things you can give because you’ve been given the gift of victory

Less than 1 minute Reading Time: Mins

This is the middle section of The Bible in One Year devotional day 236. IT spoke to me so much as I am continuously seeking God and I want to do good work for His kingdom. It blessed me and I hope it blesses you to know that through and because of Christ, we have the victory. I encourage you to click the link at the bottom of this page and read the whole thing for yourself.

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Victory over death

Based on 1 Corinthians 15:50-16:4

Many people think that death is the end. They believe death always has the last word – that death in the end will be victorious.

‘Not so,’ declares the apostle Paul. ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’ (15:54). He taunts death: ‘Where, oh death, is your victory?’ (v.55).

Jesus, through the cross and resurrection, has defeated sin, guilt and death. As a result, one day you will be raised ‘imperishable’ and ‘immortal’ (vv.53–54).

There are three things you can give in response to this amazing gift of victory through our Lord Jesus Christ:

    1. Give thanks

      ‘Where, oh death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (vv.55–57).

      The evangelist, David Watson, told the story of when he was called into the garden by the frightened cries of his daughter who was being chased by a bee. He wrapped his arms around her and then she felt his body go tense. He let her go and said to her, ‘You needn’t worry any more, darling, the bee has stung me.’

      On the cross, it was as though Jesus wrapped his arms around us and took the sting of death for us. We still die (if Jesus doesn’t return first) but, for everyone trusting in Christ, ‘the sting of death’ has been removed through the cross and resurrection. And, as David Watson said to his daughter, ‘Bees don’t sting twice.’ ‘Thank God!’ (v.57, MSG).

    2. Give yourself

      Do you sometimes wonder whether what you are doing in serving God is really making any difference? Are you tempted to think that it may all be a waste of time and effort?

      Be encouraged: ‘Nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort’ (v.58, MSG). Paul writes that the appropriate response to the victory of Jesus is ‘to stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain’ (v.58).

      Get on with ‘the work of the Lord’ (v.58). That is, the work that the Lord has called you to do. Do not be worried or threatened by what others are up to in different ministries. Different people have different callings. It is not for us to judge. They are seeking to serve God, possibly in a different way. Each of us should follow God’s call in our own lives.

      Give yourself fully to whatever it is God has called you to do. Because of the resurrection you can stand firm and know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

    3. Give money

      Part of giving yourself to the work of the Lord is through giving your money (16:2). We see here a number of principles of Christian giving. First, it is primarily ‘for God’s people’ (v.1) that is, the church. Second, it should be regular, ‘On the first day of every week’ (v.2). Third, everyone (‘each one of you’, v.2) should be involved. Fourth, it should be proportionate; in keeping with your income (see Deuteronomy 16:17): ‘Be as generous as you can’ (1 Corinthians 16:2, MSG).

Pray:

Father, I can never thank you enough for the gift of victory through our Lord Jesus Christ over sin, the law and death. I rededicate my life, my money and everything I have, to do the work of the Lord.

Accompanying bible verses

NIV version

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 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.

 

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: – Day 236

Bible in one year with Nicky Gumbel devotional

 
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