But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

The Apostle Paul finished this great chapter on the resurrection with a challenge for us to live victoriously, knowing that we have victory in Christ. We can endure hardship. We can serve faithfully. We aren’t of those who have no purpose in life. We have a commission to serve the Lord.

Before they had seen the risen Christ, the Apostles were fearful and unbelieving. After seeing the risen Christ and having received the filling of the Holy Spirit there was no stopping the Apostles. Every sermon included their witness of the resurrection. These Apostles, who fled when Jesus was arrested, were called before the High Priest and Council where there was talk of killing the Apostles, and the Apostles were told to stop preaching about Jesus and to stop putting the guilt of Jesus’ blood upon them. Instead of trying to appease the Council and save their lives, Peter and the Apostles said the following:

Acts 5:29-31 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Because they refused to stop preaching about the risen Christ, Christianity spread throughout the known world. Let’s continue in the labor that in not vain. Let’s not live the fearful life of an unbeliever. We love a risen Christ who lives in heaven. He is on our side. He is interceding for us. He has won the victory not only for Himself but for us!

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry