Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 15:35-37

Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 15:35-37

1 Corinthians 15:35 “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

This idea is linked to resurrection by Jesus as well. In John 12:23–24 (KJV 1900) we read, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

Do you see that? If a seed dies it brings forth much fruit. This is exactly the way it is with us. In Matthew 10:39 and again in Matthew 16:35, Jesus said “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Many have taught that this means that we must suffer for Christ. They would have us believe that we must face persecution, discomfort, and sacrifices to be worthy of Him.

This is not at all what Jesus was teaching. He was telling us that it is not about what we can do. It is about us relying on what He has done, what He can do. When we give up trying to show people how spiritually mature and godly we are, people begin see Christ instead of seeing us. This is part of what Paul was getting at in Galatians 2:20 (KJV 1900) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

To the extent we recognize the truth of this statement, our life is lost and His life is found. This is the life of dependance on Jesus. It is walking by faith and not by sight. It is living according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh.