Beyond the Here and Now
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 And if Christ has not been raised from death, then your faith is for nothing; you are still guilty of your sins. And those in Christ who have already died are lost. If our hope in Christ is only for this life here on earth, then people should feel more sorry for us than for anyone else.
Over the last two thousand years, billions of people have believed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now, death … that’s easy to believe in. But resurrection? Come on!
So, have those billions – yep, that many – been right to trust in the death of Jesus to pay for their sins, and in His resurrection so that they might be saved and receive the free gift of eternal life?
In the cold, hard light of day, that may well appear delusional. But here’s the thing. The death and resurrection of Jesus is a package deal. You can’t separate them. Either you put your trust in Jesus for both, or not at all. And that’s not just me saying it. Here’s the Apostle Paul in around 60 AD:
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 And if Christ has not been raised from death, then your faith is for nothing; you are still guilty of your sins. And those in Christ who have already died are lost. If our hope in Christ is only for this life here on earth, then people should feel more sorry for us than for anyone else.
The whole premise of Christianity – everything – rests on the truth that Jesus was indeed raised from death. We’re not meant to believe in Jesus just for a better life on this earth – although that newness of life is very much included – but for an eternity with Him that’s ours for the very reason that He conquered the grave.
By all means, trust Jesus for a richer, fuller, more abundant life here and now. But that’s little more than a drop in the ocean compared to your eternity with Him.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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