Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15: 58).

Before diving into this study on 1 Corinthians 15, I felt like I already had a handle on the Good News of Jesus.

Jesus died for our sins. He was buried, and three days later rose from the dead, conquering death.  Our physical bodies will break down, and we’ll die.  But through Jesus, we’ll be resurrected into something even more amazing.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we share in God’s victory.  Easy enough, right?

But Paul’s letter has me thinking deeply about what that victory is.  I realize that while I’m capable of imagining what my resurrected self might be, or what the kingdom of God looks like, I’m not capable of yet grasping the true majesty of God’s plan, fulfilled.

However, I know we will have a body, and we will have a purpose.  To me, that means heaven on Earth isn’t going to be all about lounging on fluffy clouds in shimmering white robes, playing the harp all day.  I know there will be no sin or death, but I also know we’ll have a purpose.

Paul inspires me to that purpose when he ends his letter calling on the Christians in Corinth to “Therefore…stand firm…Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord”.  He’s asking for action on our part, not for us to just believe, sit, and wait.  There’s a purpose for us in resurrection and living for that purpose starts right now.

So, let’s get to work!

Getting to work means that I live today as if I’m resurrected in God’s kingdom.  I know God’s kingdom will be full of love.  And while love might be absent from many places in this world, I can be a conduit for that love in whatever ways possible.  Justice is often lacking in this world, but I can stand up and work for justice whenever I can.  Peace can be rarely encountered, but even in turbulent times I can channel God’s peace into any situation.

And the list goes on. Whether through prayer, studying the Bible, or receiving at a Sunday service, when I catch these glimpses of what God’s kingdom holds, I can do the work today to bring that into this world. Because I know when I’m resurrected through Jesus, my new spiritual body will be born again for God’s purpose.

Through Jesus, my true resurrection is promised.  But I’m also empowered by Jesus and encouraged to be an example of God’s love, justice, peace, and everything that will fill the world when we share in God’s victory.

This Easter Sunday, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. But celebrate by acting as if you’ve already been resurrected! Somewhere in your community, someone or something needs love. Needs justice. Needs peace.  Get to work!