Don't Be Misled

I Corinthians 15 cont’d:

If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

The followers of Christ in the New Testament suffered for the things they preached.  They were beaten and mistreated.  How absurd it would be to endure such hardships for nothing. 

Those who do not follow Christ live as written above – to eat and drink – because they have no assurance of tomorrow.  So why not satisfy every lust of their flesh and every desire of their heart? 

But we see a warning here to not be misled.  We are told to come to our senses.  We are instructed to stop sinning.

It’s sad to me that some Christians portray the life of following Christ as a list of don’ts, they wear a frown because they’re “suffering” for Christ, and they are not attractive at all – so why should anyone want to be like them?

A life lived for Christ is exciting, full of hope and joy, and even in suffering there is life because we have hope.  Sin doesn’t rule our minds and bodies and wreak havoc in our relationships.  We don’t feel shame because we are set free to live apart from a selfish, pitiful life.

Jesus is raised from the dead!  Do you realize what that means for you?