Thursday, April 3, 2008
1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile.
WORDS NOT FOUND IN THE EASTER DICTIONARY: FUTILE
Ever do a job that was absolutely pointless? A task that served no meaningful purpose whatsoever? That's what one calls "an effort in futility."
Today we focus on the world "futile," that is, "serving no useful purpose, completely ineffective." Another word not found in the Easter Dictionary.
But in our Bible verse today the Apostle says futile is exactly what our faith would be if Christ is not risen from the dead. If Jesus' body is moldering in a grave, then it's pointless to look to Him for help. (Only fools would place their confidence in someone who is dead!) If Easter didn't happen, then following Christ is an effort in futility. (Where could a corpse ever lead us?) If Jesus didn't rise, there is no resurrection, no life eternal, for anyone. Paul asserts that we have no forgiveness of sins if Christ is not risen. Jesus' death was useless if He did not rise from the grave.
All in all, if Jesus did not rise bodily on Easter Sunday, then being a Christian is a complete waste of time. "But now Christ is risen from the dead!" (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Without a risen Savior, our faith means nothing. But since Christ is indeed risen, our faith is truly most meaningful. Our Christian faith tells us that we have a living Lord who forgives us, loves us, and helps us in every way. Our Christian faith tells us that life has a definite purpose: serving the One Who lived, died and rose for us all! Our Christian faith tells us that life has a guaranteed destination: heaven with God forever.
So go ahead, erase that word futile from your heart and from your life! The risen Jesus has rescued us from sin, death, and hell!
"So my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
