1 Corinthians 15:1-22, 42-58
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” The sins we are still in are not just ritual sins of separation, but the actual sins that have done harm and decay to the world!
The resurrection is not just the hope of the after life, it is the founding truth of our hope in the present life! It means we are fundamentally dynamic- we can change!
But what is fit for the glorified life is only possible when the cognate element of the corrupt life is sown.
As long as we are trying to simply grow out of what is already present, we are mistaking the resurrection for a growth spurt instead of a fundamental rebirth.
Paul is convinced that we are becoming fit for heaven now, which means that resurrection starts as quickly in our lives as we are willing to let what is not of heaven die so the Lord can resurrect what is within us.
Because Christ has been raised we do not have to still be in our sins Because Christ has been raised we do not have to still be in our sins. We may live in His victory and freedom.