From the Dead

I Corinthians 12:5-19

 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Oh, my goodness!  11 times there is emphasis in this small passage of scripture about Christ being raised from the dead.  It’s quite monotonous to read!  Surely, the writer of this passage is trying to get a point across to his readers.

Believing that Christ has been raised from the dead is of super importance to our faith.  From that fact stems all hope that we have in the power of God to take that which is dead and bring life into it.  Knowing that Christ has conquered death means we no longer are slaves to sin and the power it had over our lives.  And being sure that He is alive and no longer dead means we too have hope that we will live eternally with him.

This is no small thing!  Do you believe?  

When we choose to put our faith in Christ and the work of the cross – his death and resurrection – we are choosing life.  And this is our hope.  This is our foundation. This is the truth on which we stand.