What If …
When you are looking for a new life (admit it, there are times when we all would like one), don't even think about a fake passport, a nose job or stealing someone else's identity.
"If Christ has not been raised," Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 15, "your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost."
"If Christ has not been raised," then the following bumper stickers would actually be true: "The word is coming to an end. Please log off." "Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday." "Death is life's way of telling you you="re" fired." "Life is too important to be taken seriously."
"If Christ has not been raised," then our only hope is in our own doing, which causes the prophet Jeremiah hopeless misery, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength" (Jeremiah 17:5).
"If Christ has not been raised," then we must place our security in whatever we can gather for the moment (knowing it will soon disappear) and our only joy is pretending that things don't really hurt, neither of which really work, according to the words of Jesus, "Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep" (Luke 6:25).
"If Christ has not been raised ... we are to be pitied more than all people," Paul concludes. We just hang our heads low and hope for the best.
One Sunday morning outside Jerusalem changed everything, however. Paul continues, triumphing with a confident cry, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead." don="t" you understand how this makes a difference for your Christian faith and life? The essence of your saving faith is not some morality of rule-based code seeking a perfectionism that can be gained the more you improve yourself (assuming you achieve success). The essence of your saving faith is not some ethical pattern of good behavior or some pilgrimage for a higher level of spirituality. The essence of your saving faith is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The essence and meaning of Christianity is historical, while all other world religions are hypothetical. You are at peace with God because of what has already happened, not because of what could possibly happen. Christ has been raised, therefore ...
… You have a personal Savior who has been exalted by God the Father to the supreme position of authority and power over all things. No job insecurity can out muscle Jesus Christ. No abusive spouse or aggressive superior can bully him. No attractive offer from the devil can bribe him from standing firmly by your side. No sticky situation can outwit him. God the Father "raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion" (Ephesians 1:20,21). Jesus is Lord. Your Lord.
… Death has been destroyed. The gates of heaven have been opened for all believers. "Do not be afraid," our risen Lord announces. "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death" (Revelation 1:17,18). Death cannot lock you or your departed Christian loved ones out of heaven forever, because Jesus has locked death up for good.
… You are raised to a new level of spiritual strength that has power over satan="s" temptations and sin's control. "We were therefore buried with [Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4). Your baptism killed you. Your baptism was the funeral for the sinful you controlled by Satan. You now live a new life in the glory and power of God.
…You have a peaceful relationship with God. "Peace be with you," (John 20:21) Jesus assures his disciples after rising from the dead. You can pray to him without standing in line or first earning the right to be heard. You can ask for him to forgive the worst of sins knowing that he is ready with open arms. You can ride out the storms of life with the confidence that his anger against your sins has already been spent on Christ, and he now allows troubles to visit you only to help you, his precious child, mature in your faith.
… You and all believers will bodily rise from the dead like Jesus, and live with soul and body forever in heaven with him. "I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus promises, "whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25).
When you are looking for a new life (admit it, there are times when we all would like one), don't even think about a fake passport, a nose job or stealing someone else's identity. Look first to Christ's empty tomb. Christ has been raised. And so have you.
PRAYER: There is no "if" when it comes to Easter, Lord Jesus. That means, there is no "if" when it comes to my own certainty that you lived, died, and rose to save me. Reassure me with your resurrection. Raise me up to say no to sin. Renew my faith to believe that you will always work everything out for my good. Amen.