Definitions of the gospel are not complete apart from I Corinthians 15. Verses 1-8 declare the gospel in terms of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Within the larger canonical context we understand that the gospel includes a rich tapestry of details that encompasses the deity and the humanity of Christ, the return of Christ, the exaltation of Christ, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the theology of God as Creator and Lord.
The journey of the Christian life is a long walk through the beauty and the glory of these details.
Walk with me into the gospel detail of resurrection in I Corinthians 15.
The 58 verses of this chapter affirm the certainty of the resurrection and explain how Christ is the basis and the first-fruits of the resurrection life.
The chapter then considers the nature of the resurrection body and Christ’s victory over death.
In light of these glorious resurrection facts, Paul pens this final exhortation,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (15:58).
The exhortation to steadfastness, immovability, and abounding is very similar to the exhortation to be planted and to bear fruit found in both Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17.
The reality of resurrection life solidifies us and encourages us to excel and give ourselves enthusiastically to the Lord’s work, since this kind of life investment will always be profitable.
Christ is risen. Yes, Christ is risen indeed.
May God help us to manifest the reality of resurrection life in every detail of our lives.