Thursday, July 29, 2010
1 Corinthians 15:19-20 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
It is this simple truth which expresses the full hope of the Christian. If it weren't for this fact, it wouldn't matter that Christ died for us. If it weren't for this fact, we wouldn't care that our sins are forgiven. If it weren't for this fact, why bother to spend our lives telling other people about what Christ has done for them. None of it would matter.
If there were no resurrection from the dead, the only thing worth caring about at all would be this life. But since we know that one day our bodies will be raised from the dust and reunited with our spirits and we will stand before the Judge of all the earth, we have exactly the opposite view. This life is not our primary concern. What does it matter? Soon we will die and after that we will be raised and those who through faith are saved will go to be with Jesus. And we know that it is true and we will be raised to be with Christ because Christ Himself rose from the dead, showing that He has power over death. He Himself gave us the promise that we also will likewise be raised from the dead.
