Christ did rise from the dead

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. –

1 Corinthians 15:19

Have you ever planned an exciting trip? Perhaps your state is landlocked and you were headed for the ocean. Maybe you had a chance to visit another country. Or it was winter and you were heading somewhere sunny. You probably looked forward to it with great anticipation. Believers in Christ have better travel plans than an exciting vacation. Christians have the hope of spending an eternity with God in heaven, a perfect place where there’s no sickness, sorrow, or death.

In Paul’s day, there was a rumor going around that there was no resurrection. the apostle probably could hardly believe his ears that people of the church were saying those things. If there is no resurrection, Paul explained, Christ wasn’t raised and believers are still dead in their sin, his preaching was in vain and all that he suffered for the gospel was useless. The church would be a miserable lot of people! As it says in today’s verse, they would be “people most to be pitied.”

But Christ did rise from the dead. He did promise eternal life. Believers are not to be pitied because the hope of Christ is for all eternity. As you pray for the country, pray for softened hearts toward the gospel (Ezekiel 11:19). Pray for workers to be sent into His harvest (Mark 9:38). Be prepared to share the hope you have in Christ with those around you (1 Peter 3:15). As you grow older, be encouraged that you are getting closer to that final wonderful destination.