Thursday, April 20, 2006
1 Corinthians 15:18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
IF CHRIST IS NOT RISEN -- PART 4
We have all had to deal with the pain of the death of a loved one. Even our youngest members are familiar with death and what it means. While it is always hard for us to lose those who are close to us, it is a great comfort to know and be assured that those who have died in Christ live on with Christ in heaven. While we struggle with the earthly loss of our brother or sister in Christ, we rejoice in their heavenly gain. We are reassured when we hear those words of Jesus, "Because I live, you will live also." (John 14:19)
But all of that is lost if Christ is not risen. If Christ is not risen, Paul says, Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If Christ never rose from the dead, then those who have died confident in Jesus and the blessing of living with Him for all eternity, have in fact perished. There is no hope for them. There is no promise of eternal life. Our resurrection from death is based on Christ's resurrection, and if He did not rise from death to the glories of heaven, then neither have our loved ones who have died in Christ, and neither will we. If Christ did not rise then we can have no hope in a life to come. Then those who have died before us trusting in Jesus have perished.
But now Christ is risen from the dead. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, and He offers us comfort through the knowledge that those who have died in Christ share in His victory over death and live with Him forevermore.
