Living as people who have already won the victory - 1 Corinthians 15:54

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NIV)
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."

A STORY:
An Arab worked all day and became extremely tired. At night he came back to his tent. Lit a candle to eat supper. He had but 3 figs. He cut open the first one and it was full of worms. He threw it away. Cut open the 2nd one and it too was full of warms. He threw it away. He then blew out the candle and ate the 3rd fig.

AN OBSERVATION:
Moral of the about story … some things are hard to swallow.

We all like the experience of celebrating a victory and hate the painful experience of defeat … some things are easy to embrace while others are hard to swallow.

It is the desire of most of us to live a life of victory, but when wander around in life as if we are individuals of defeat instead of people of victory. As E. Stanley Jones was fond of stating: “If you have Christ in your heart how about informing your face of that reality.”

I particularly like The Message’s paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 15:24 - Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life!

The emphasis of a triumphant life captures my imagination and lifts my spirit, but why wait for death to come to experience that reality? The great news is that we don’t have to wait. Isn’t that what Jesus meant when he told those around him “the kingdom of God has come near.”

Why live as if the reward of Christian living is off someplace in a distant land, especially since it is right here within our reach? A triumphant life doesn’t mean that all the trials and tribulations of this life are past and forgotten, it simply means that we have a companion in Christ that will be with us through those times and the gift of the Holy Spirit to give us strength when we face them.

Victory is ours! Embrace it! Celebrate it!

PRAYER:
Thank you Lord for giving us the victory. Now, give us the conviction to live as individuals who have already won the race! Amen!