1 Corinthians 15:31

DISCOURSE: 1993
DYING DAILY

1 Corinthians 15:31. I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

THERE were many in the apostolic age who denied the resurrection of the dead [Note: ver. 12.]. St. Paul, in opposition to them, maintained the truth of that doctrine. In confirmation of his word, he asserted that he himself, no less than the other Apostles, had seen the Lord Jesus Christ in his risen state; and that, consequently, there must be a resurrection of the dead; more especially because the Lord Jesus did not rise as a mere individual, but as the head and forerunner of his people, even as the first-fruits before the harvest. He then appeals to his adversaries themselves, whether, upon any other hypothesis than that of a resurrection to a future life of blessedness and glory, it would be possible to account for the conduct of himself and all his fellow Apostles and fellow Christians; all of whom so readily encountered the severest trials that men could endure in this world, in the hope and prospect of approving themselves to God, and of being approved by Him in the day of judgment? “What shall they do who are baptized for the dead,” that is, in the room of the dead, like soldiers filling up the ranks of those who have been cut off, if the “dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? and why stand we in jeopardy every hour?” Then, for their conviction, he protests most solemnly before God, that this was his own experience, and that “he died daily.”

In considering these words, I will notice,

I. The Apostle’s experience—

He here declares the daily habit of his mind,

1. As the fruit and consequence of the persecutions he suffered—

[The Apostle preached the Gospel “with great plainness of speech.” By this he gave offence to multitudes, both of Jews and Gentiles, who with implacable animosity sought his life. He had not preached the Gospel many days before his enemies conspired to destroy him; and necessitated him, for the preservation of his life, to be let down in a basket from the battlements of a walled city. From that time he was in continual danger, never knowing but that the address he was delivering would prove his last. Truly, he was “in deaths oft [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:23.];” and “like a sheep appointed for the slaughter [Note: Romans 8:36.];” or like the gladiators, who were to engage in renewed combats till they died [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:9.]. In truth, he was regarded only as “the filth of the world, and as the off-scouring of all things;” fit only to be sacrificed for the pacifying of a dζmon, or for the removal of a common plague [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:13.]. Thus “he was in jeopardy every hour of his life [Note: ver 30.];” and, as he expresses it in my text, “he died daily.”]

2. As wrought and cherished in his own soul—

[It is plain that this also is included in the expression before us; and that it forms, in fact, the very jet of his argument. ‘I protest,’ says he ‘that, as I am daily exposed to death for my ministrations, so I willingly submit to it in an assured prospect that I shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.’ He knew that, independently of his persecutions, his life was very uncertain, and that he could not call a day or an hour his own: and the murderous cruelty of his enemies rendered his continuance in life still more precarious. But he was willing to die at any time, and in any way, for his Master’s sake [Note: Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13.]: yea, “he desired to depart, and to be with Christ, as far better” than any thing he could attain in this life [Note: Philippians 1:23.]; and he accounted every moment of his continuance in the body as a privation of blessedness in the immediate presence of his Lord [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:6.]. He knew, that, at the very instant of his departure from the body, he should “behold his Lord face to face [Note: 1 Corinthians 13:12.];” and, that, at the day of judgment, his body also should be raised to “meet the Lord in the air, and to be for ever with the Lord [Note: 1 Thessalonians 4:17.]:” and, under this conviction, he looked upon martyrdom itself as a ground of cordial self-congratulation and joy [Note: Philippians 2:17.]

This subject derives peculiar importance from,

II.

The solemn manner in which he affirmed it—

He takes for granted that those, whom he addressed, rejoiced in Christ Jesus, even as he did: and he protests by their rejoicing, as well as by his own [Note: I think the marginal translation of “our” instead of “your,” decidedly preferable.], that this was indeed his experience from day to day. And from this protest we learn,

1. That this experience is not common—

[No, in truth: it is very rare even among “those who profess godliness.” That there is no such persecution now, as existed in the apostolic age, is certain; and, consequently, the preachers of the Gospel exercise not their ministry so much at the peril of their life: but there is as much need of zeal now as ever: and the servants of God are as much bound to be faithful in the discharge of their duty as ever; and they must be as ready to sacrifice their lives in the cause of their Divine Master as ever. There is to be no difference in these respects between the Apostles and us. If not called to endure the same trials as they, we must be willing to endure them, if called to it: and if we love our lives in comparison of Him and his glory, we shall lose our souls for ever.
As to looking forward to a longer stay on earth, we are no more entitled to indulge such a conceit than the Apostles were; for “we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth.” And it is our privilege to be anticipating the blessedness of heaven as much as it was theirs. We should count death amongst our treasures: and be “looking for, and hasting unto, the coming of the day of Christ,” quite as much as they did in their devoutest frames — — —
But is this a common attainment? Would to God it were! But the generality of Christians put the day far from them, as though it were to be dreaded, rather than desired: and even the more godly amongst us live far below their privileges in this respect.]

2. That, however, it ought to be found in all who believe in Christ—

[He takes for granted, that all true Christians “rejoice in Christ.” And truly this is a distinctive character of them: and the man who has not in himself this evidence of his relation to Christ, has no sufficient reason to think that he belongs to Christ [Note: Philippians 3:3.]. But, supposing that we are really Christ’s, then should the Apostle’s experience be ours: and so palpably should it be ours, that we should be able to join in the asseveration of St. Paul, and say, ‘ “I protest, by my rejoicing in Christ, and as I hope to rejoice in him in a better world, I am dying daily:” “I am crucified to the world,” and to all things in it: and I am, in the constant habit of my mind, like a dying man, expecting and preparing for my speedy dissolution, and anticipating with joy the blessedness that awaits me.’ Beloved brethren, if ye be Christians indeed, this is the experience which you are to aspire after; this is the experience which ye are bound to attain.]

3. That the existence of this, in the Lord’s people, is a strong presumptive proof of a future resurrection—

[A few enthusiasts may be supposed to be carried forward to strange excesses of zeal, even in a bad cause. But to act and suffer as the Apostles did, could not be general amongst pious Christians, if they were not animated by a hope beyond the grave: and their conduct in this world, if it prove not the certainty of a future resurrection, proves, beyond a doubt, the full persuasion of their minds respecting it. In truth, nothing but this expectation could carry persons on to such high attainments: and, on the other hand, there is nothing which those who are persuaded of it will not gladly do and suffer in the prospect of such happiness and glory.
Certify then yourselves, brethren, that there is indeed a future state; and labour, by the conformity of your lives to that of the holy Apostle, to shew that you are borne up, by the hope of it, far above all that the world can give, and above all that the most inveterate enemy can inflict.]

Tell me now, whether the Christian be not,
1.

A happy man?—

[As “rejoicing in Christ,” he must of necessity be happy. Nor is he less so in his superiority to all the things of time and sense. In truth, the only way to live happily is to “die daily.” Be it so: he is an object of hatred and persecution amongst men: but he is beloved of God, and enjoys God; and is even led to anticipate more the blessedness of heaven by the very sufferings which he endures on earth. “When God therefore gives him such quietness, who can make trouble?” Verily “none can harm him, seeing that he is thus a follower of that which is good.”]

2. A man worthy to be imitated by all around him?—

[The poor, wretched, ignorant world run from vanity to vanity in pursuit of pleasure; and never find it. The Christian follows after righteousness; and happiness waits on him, even as the shadow of his body. To him every thing is a source of good: adversity itself comes to him as a blessing in disguise; and in his afflictions he tastes nothing but love. Seek then, my brethren, to rejoice in Christ; and then shall all the Christian’s blessedness be yours.]