Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, but he is only the firstfruits. Death came through the first man, Adam, and since then all men die. In the same way Christ is only the firstfruits of the resurrection. In Christ all will be made alive. Resurrection is not the end, however. Christ’s resurrection declares his reign over sin and death. Christ serves God’s purpose, to bring everything under God’s rule, so that God may be all in all. Resurrection hope is the hope of eternal restoration in God.

Living as if there is no resurrection is unbelief. It made the practices of the Corinthian church seem foolish. It made the sacrificial life of apostle Paul seem ridiculous. If death is the end, it would be better to live only for personal gratification. But there is resurrection. Unbelief in resurrection corrupts our character, and it is sin. Whenever we are tempted, we must come back to our senses. We must come back to hope in Christ, the risen one.
Application: Lord, thank you sending Christ as the firstfruits of the resurrection. Help me to grow in the eternal hope that he provides.
One Word: Christ the firstfruits is our hope