Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
We cannot tell by looking at a seed the first time what the plant will look like and the fruit that the plant will bear. It is God, who by His wisdom, gave the plants and the herb yielding seeds, to be what it is. It is God, our blessed Creator, who does so, as the Apostle Paul writes, as it hath pleased him.
A plant begins its existence in the form of a little seed that is sown on the ground. And from it, a plant shoots up as the seed germinates. When there is no seed, there will be no plant. A natural state in God’s created world. The plant derives its features from the seed.
William MacDonald observed, “It is wonderful indeed to think of the mystery of life that is hidden in every tiny seed. We may dissect the seed and study it under the microscope, but the secret of the life principle remains an unfathomable mystery. All we know is that the seed falls into the ground and from that unlikely beginning there springs forth life from the dead.”
It is needful that the believer understands the power of God unleashed in raising the dead up. He will seek to enlighten the believers concerning the resurrection of the dead at the rapture. This is a great mystery that he will unravel to show how the dead in Christ is but asleep and will be awakened when God will reconstruct for the dead in Christ a glorified body. Mind boggling truth!
The Apostle John said in 1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. All that is truly born of God will be awakened to the filth of sin and seek earnestly to live holily.
William MacDonald observed well, “The Corinthians should not be deceived on this score. Evil company corrupts good habits. Paul is referring to the false teachers who had come into the church at Corinth, denying the resurrection.”
The opposition and severe persecution which came to him in Ephesus as likened to being thrown into a den of wild beasts and be torn apart. These beasts are a reference to evil men who sought to take his life and thwart the work of the gospel.
He speaks here of the dangers that he was exposed to daily that is life-threatening. Despite these dangers, he was courageous and trusted in God to accomplish the gospel work. He rejoices over the spiritual conversions and progress made in the spiritual lives of the Corinthian church.
The Apostle Paul preached the gospel without apology, boldly declaring the truth, often facing great persecution. He acknowledged that it took courage on his part to persevere. God’s grace sustained him. He lived a life often hanging by thread, facing great dangers because of his persecutors.
William MacDonald said well, “At the time Paul wrote, there was fierce persecution against those who took a public stand for Christ. This persecution was especially vicious at the time of their baptism. It often happened that those who publicly proclaimed their faith in Christ in the waters of baptism were martyred shortly thereafter. But did this stop others from being saved and from taking their place in baptism? Not at all.”