Soteriology 101: Understanding the work of Christ Part 5

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Introduction

In our last study, we delved into the cross of Christ, exploring its significance as the ultimate symbol of Christ’s sacrificial love and the price He paid for our sins. The cross stands as the meeting point of justice and mercy, where Christ bore the punishment for humanity’s sin and offered redemption to all who believe. We learned three key things about the cross: first, Christ propitiated for our sins; second, He redeemed us from the bondage of sin and death; and third, He destroyed the power of sin.

Today, we will shift our focus from the cross to the resurrection of Christ, as we continue our exploration of soteriology—the study of salvation.

The Resurrection

In previous studies, we discussed how Christ consistently predicted His death and resurrection on the third day (Matthew 16:21-23, Mark 8:31-33, Luke 9:21-22). This highlights that the resurrection was central to Christ’s work of salvation and should not have been a surprise when it happened.

While we have spent considerable time reflecting on the death of Christ and its significance as the penalty for our sins, it is crucial to understand that without Christ’s resurrection, His death would not have achieved its full purpose. The resurrection validates and confirms His victory over sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe. Without it, Christ’s death would have been incomplete—it would not have secured the restored relationship with God or the hope of eternal life.

The Meaning of Resurrection

Many might define the resurrection as simply coming back from the dead, but this would be an incomplete understanding. Such a definition would equate Christ’s resurrection with that of Lazarus or Jairus’ daughter, both of whom were raised from the dead only to die again. However, Christ’s resurrection is unique. According to Wayne Grudem, Jesus’ resurrection signifies that He is the “first fruits” of a new kind of human life (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)—a life where the body is made perfect and no longer subject to death, weakness, or aging.

Jesus was raised with a transformed, glorified body—imperishable and immortal, never to experience suffering, pain, or death again (1 Corinthians 15:52-53). His resurrection is not only a victory over death but also the beginning of a new, eternal existence.

The Significance of the Resurrection

The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, proving that Jesus is the Son of God and that His sacrifice was sufficient to conquer sin and death once and for all (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Here are three key reasons the resurrection is vital for our salvation:

1. The Resurrection Provides for Our Regeneration
   To be “born again” is to experience new life, a regeneration made possible through Christ’s resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). While our physical bodies are still subject to aging and death, we have received Christ’s resurrection life in our spirits. Just as His death signifies the death of all humanity, His resurrection also signifies the resurrection of all who believe in Him (Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 3:1). Through the resurrection, God has empowered us to live in victory, overcoming sin and the works of the flesh (Romans 6:4, 11, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:17).
2. The Resurrection Guarantees Our Future Resurrection
   The hope of the resurrection was the greatest motivation for Christ’s disciples (1 Peter 1:3-5). Seeing the risen Christ gave them unshakable faith in the promise that they too would one day experience bodily resurrection, transformed into perfect, glorified bodies like His (1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:12-58). This hope encouraged them to risk everything for Christ, knowing that death would not be the end.
3. The Resurrection Provides for Our Justification
   While Christ’s death was the penalty for our sins, His resurrection is what justifies us before God (Romans 4:25). Through the resurrection, we can stand before God without guilt, as His wrath has been satisfied, and the redemptive work of Christ has been accepted (1 Corinthians 15:17). Without the resurrection, Christ’s death would not have been sufficient for our justification; it is through the resurrection that we are assured of our salvation and right standing with God.

Conclusion

It is unfortunate that in some modern teachings, the resurrection is often downplayed, even though it is central to the work of salvation. While justification by faith is rightly emphasized, it is the resurrection that guarantees our justification before God. Without the resurrection, Christ’s death would be incomplete, and our faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection is not merely an afterthought in the story of salvation—it is the cornerstone that confirms the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and secures our hope of eternal life.

As believers, our response to this profound act of Christ must be one of unwavering obedience and commitment to His work. Paul concludes his powerful defense of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 with these words: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). This call to action reminds us that, because Christ is risen, our faith is not empty, and our labor in His service is eternally significant.

In light of the resurrection, we must live with purpose, knowing that our efforts in Christ’s name matter—not just for this life but for eternity. Let us be faithful in our service, knowing that the resurrection assures us of our hope, and our work will bear fruit in the kingdom of God.