1 Corinthians 15:12-22
Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is pointless, and your faith is pointless too. Then we are even guilty of giving false testimony about God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, if it were true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then it also follows that those who fell asleep in Christ perished. If our hope in Christ applies only to this life, we are the most pitiful people of all. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by a man, the resurrection of the dead also is going to come by a man. For as in Adam they all die, so also in Christ they all will be made alive.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your plan of salvation for us. Without it, we would be stuck in our sins, and it would not matter what anyone does. If this life were it, and we all go to our graves and are done, then what is the need for us having a conscience or, for that matter, rules? But You created us to be accountable for what we have done, and all people recognize that there is a higher power; all around the world, different religions worship all sorts of things as their deities. When we sin, our conscience can eat away at us for our actions. People have come up with ways to overcome their guilt, but every means is flawed and never removes it. So the problem is that all religions cannot be correct simultaneously.
However, Jesus’ resurrection is the fulcrum of Christianity; if he did not rise, then all of what we believe is in vain, just as Paul wrote. You reveal to us in Your Word Your entire plan of salvation from the promise to the fulfillment. Living on this earth, we will face our mortality and death one day because we are all sinners, along with the sin handed down from our first parents. But because Your plan of salvation was perfect, love demonstrated to us that Your Son came to suffer in our place, offer us complete forgiveness for all our sins, and remove the guilt and shame accompanying our sins.
How do we know this is true? Because Jesus’ body is no longer in the grave. Because You raised him from the dead, we know You have accepted his payment for our sins; Jesus has redeemed us lost and condemned creatures. Faith in Christ makes our salvation a reality, and nothing else can accomplish that. We pray today that You would create and strengthen our faith through Your word so we know and trust in the resurrection of our Savior. Forgive us, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are for all people. His resurrection is the true miracle of Easter; it is where we know for sure we are forgiven and are confident of our salvation and eternal life.