Because He Lives

We usually think of Easter with this chapter.  Easter is every day because Jesus lives.

I Corinthians 15: ¹³ But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. ²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul used several words repeatedly.  It’s sort of like putting a pattern on a quilt.  Salvation is wonderful and the garment of salvation is woven with many patterns that hold it together.  The resurrection is at the core.  Jesus died and was buried but on the third day he rose to die no more.  No matter how times change, this won’t.  He died one time for our sake and it won’t happen again.  The devil works in each generation to make them not believe in the resurrection.  Some people believe Jesus has been in the tomb for 2,000 years.  What a privilege to be a believer!  Some may think we’re foolish, but I’d rather be a fool for Christ’s sake.  We believe we have sinned and in a God that created all things.  We believe Jesus died and rose and that he saves people from their sins.   To some that is foolish but we know because we’re born again.  That’s because a risen Savior washed us in his blood.  Through the power of the resurrection we have a living Savior and he saved our soul.  The world may think he’s still dead but we know better.

It is not in vain.  Everything we have is not a waste of time and a waste of life.  Verse 19 says if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  If we just had a religion and Jesus was still in the tomb, it would be a waste.  There would be nothing to the work of the cross and our fate would be sealed.  Because he is raised, we left misery behind.  At times it may be tough.  The devil makes living miserable but victory comes through and it’s still a better life.  We know our living Savior sees us through because we can’t depend on ourselves to make it.

If there is no resurrection then Jesus is still in the tomb.  How can he be there when we feel him in our heart?  How could he wash away sins if he was still in the tomb?  It was empty in 1984 when we visited Israel, and I know it’s still empty today.  Let’s live closer to him.  Let’s enjoy life and live it for the Lord.  He’s alive being Master, Savior and head of the church.  We need to live as his living servants.

If he’s still in the tomb there is no reason to read the Bible.  Why come to church if he’s still in the tomb?  That means the whole thing is flawed.  We can trust Genesis to Revelation because the author is risen from the dead.  Because he lives, we have the Word.  Because his tomb is empty, one day ours will be too.  Without him we have nothing more than a religion.  We’re saved.  What we have in Jesus Christ is real.  Let’s get real about it.  There is no point to it if Jesus is not alive.  My old sins are still around.  We’re all still in our sins. Thank the Lord the Savior is alive and we’re forgiven.  I’m glad to be a believer.

We know our loved ones who died in the faith are with God.  Aren’t you thankful that we’re not saved just for this life but through the blood of the Lamb it is possible to be the people of God forever?  We’re saved by the blood and the power of the resurrection.

Because of all this verse 58 comes into play.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  Drive your boots into the ground and stand fast for God.  Because he lives we can make it.  It’s worth it all.  Embrace the living Savior and the life he’s given us.  Commit to being a Christian in this dying world.