Because He Lives

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:12-22).

Thought For Today

Do you know the difference between the Sadducees and the Pharisees? One difference was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees did. One was sad you see and the other was fair you see (humor)!! Because false teachings crept in unaware, the Apostle Paul felt a need to bring this young church back into understanding about Christ Jesus. You see the Gospel is the birth, life, death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And even today, many do not understand how the Gospel and the life of Christ correlate. Paul said that some have not the knowledge of Christ (1Corinthians 15:34). Jesus constantly spoke of His resurrection when He said, “destroy this temple and in three days I’ll raise it up again” and “Here after shall you see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of power and coming In His glory”. Along with, “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you”. Even today, when God miraculously raises someone from the dead, the world is shocked. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was to bring fulfillment to the Gospel message, the Good News for all. If Jesus had never died, there would have been no sacrifice for our sins. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). His burial represents the death to an old sinful lifestyle. We are buried with Him by baptism in Jesus Name (Colossians 2: 12). And His resurrection shows that we too should rise to walk in newness of life through the power of the Holy Ghost (Romans 6:4-5). As Jesus told Martha, I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Paul said, "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). In conclusion, because He lives, we shall live also.