Bible Reading Challenging #50

If Christ Had Not Been Raised

Take a moment and consider what life would be like if you were not a Christian.

• How would life be different?

• How would you live differently?

• How would your view of aging, sickness, and death change?

For many of us, we grew up in a world that assumed some concept of Christianity. When we watch or read the news, we often hear phrases like, “He’s looking down and smiling.” Whether or not the person professed faith in Jesus, there’s an assumption that everyone goes to heaven. In fact, I have never heard someone suggest that a recently deceased person is in hell.

But if we did not believe in a God who came to us and made a way for us to come to Him, then what would be the purpose or goal of life?

This is what Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 15:12–19:

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Why does the resurrection matter?
If Jesus was not raised, then your faith is futile.
We would have no hope.

Tomorrow, Paul will assure us that Christ has indeed been raised. But before we get there, I want you to sit with the devastating reality of what it would mean if Jesus Christ had not risen from the dead.