If Christ had NOT BEEN RAISED FROM The Dead There are Dire ETERNAL Consequences…and we are of all people most To Be PITIED…our faith is futile and we are still in our sins!
“…how do some among 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.”– {1 Cor 15:12-19}
And if this is all we had of the Scriptures we are without Hope and this is the be-all and end-all and is hopelessness, no future, fatalism… in verse 20 we come across these two Beautiful words full of Hope “…BUT CHRIST!”
” BUT CHRIST…” The dark scene of sinful, Godless humanity takes a beautiful turn like the dawning of the day that dispels the darkness of night arises this beautiful, powerful, redeeming hope imparting, salvation giving Person who dispels the spiritual darkness with Hope. His death for our sins, His burial and on the third day we read He arose from the dead for our justification and HOPE is Born, Hope is offered, hope has a name, “CHRIST..!” and it all Hinges on what God has done.
He has raised CHRIST having accepted His sinless Rigteousn life and Sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf. He our Substitute has stood in our place, bearing our shame, our sin, and paying the penalty that we may not die in our sins and be lost to a Christless eternity.
On that cross God treated Jesus as though He had lived our sinful lives, paying the price for our sins and in resurrecting Him as the evidence that His sacrifice had been fully, completely and eternally once for all accepted! He now treats the repentant sinner as though we have lived Christ’s life- a Righteous life! Amazing mercy and grace are God’s Provision of His Son for us!
In turning to God in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, we receive from Him the effects of His Resurrection, we receive the Good News, the Gospel and stand on the Gospel message and we are Saved from the wrath of God, the dominion of satan and the consequences of sin and are saved- rescued from and delivered having been transferred into the Kingdom of the Beloved Son. So for the darkest moment of our personal sinful humanity there is Hope for there is a “BUT CHRIST!” in the words of 1 Cor 15:20 End your sentence with “BUT CHRIST…,”
When doubts and accusations would seek to discourage you, when past failures and sin would come before you, when the evil one tempts you with fears of the future answer with “BUT CHRIST”…When thoughts of death come and the doubts by the evil one suggesting you are not ready to let these precious, powerful, personal all-conquering words of Jesus comfort and convey the eternal reality backed by God Himself who cannot lie nor fail, His assurance to you in the midst of the temptation and evil one’s onslaught, “BUT CHRIST …” Listen To God Himself in Scripture saying “BUT CHRIST has indeed Been RAISED from the dead!”... This is shouting Ground, This is Firm, Eternal, GOD ASSURED Foundation for you!
“BUT CHRIST has indeed been raised from the dead,…”-{1 Cor 15;20}
GOOD- GOD NEWS… THERE IS A “BUT CHRIST…” for You and this is why we have To Keep going and sharing, it is MOTIVATION…“… Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”- {1 Cor 15:58} –
“Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose;
with a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! ” – -{Robert Lowry 1826-1899}
* PRAISE God – Stop This Moment and Praise Him for His Provision. Here is Hope …“…BUT CHRIST”
*SHARE with Someone the GOD NEWS- “BUT CHRIST!”