1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-23: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
The fifteenth chapter of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is a “go to” chapter for Christians that should be frequented often. It is all about the resurrection of our Lord and our resurrection someday as well. It is the chapter of hope that describes the foundation of our faith – Christ’s resurrection. John Stott once said, “Christianity is a religion of resurrection.” So true! Take away Jesus’ resurrection and we are hopeless, deceived, and relying on and telling the world a lie! But Christ has risen, and we rejoice in a hope that is sure!
In reading the chapter, we not only find certain hope, but something else defining the greatest privilege a person will ever know and experience. It consists in five words – those who belong to Christ. Pause and ponder – those who belong to Christ. Pause and praise – those who belong to Christ.
Christians are “owned people” purchased by the precious blood of Christ for Christ. The Apostle Peter wrote of this truth in the opening chapter of his first epistle – And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1:17-19). Think often on the price paid so we may belong to Christ. But also think of the application of belonging to Christ. The great privilege – belonging to Christ – leads us to our greatest responsibility – to live reflecting those who belong to Christ. And what does that responsibility look like in the day-to-day living out of our “bought lives”? We return to the Apostle Peter who instructs us towards that end – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1Peter 2:9)
A people bought by the blood of Christ are a people of his own possession who live for the purpose of proclaiming the excellencies of Him who bought us. These excellencies include the proclamation of God’s goodness, grace, love, mercy, holiness, and justice to name a few. Oh, how our Christian professions would become more Christian practice of proclaiming and portraying our God to a watching world if we understand more and more what it means to belong to Christ – the greatest privilege a human being will ever know.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for granting me the greatest privilege ever known–belonging to Your Son.”
QUOTE: “Let the knowledge that we belong to Christ, His purchased possession, motivate us daily to live up to our identity.”