Raised from the Dead?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (NIV)

 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Devotion:

            In this scripture Paul confronts believers who say they believe in Christ but deny the resurrection of the dead. Paul’s logic is for what he says is self-evident. If the dead are not raised, then Jesus Christ was not raised, and our faith is of no use. Paul exposes this “faith” for what it is a dangerous lie.

            The Corinthians are not the only ones to believe in this lie, however. This idea that the resurrection never occurred persists throughout time right down to today. There are some who call themselves Christians, who despite the scripture above and others like it that clearly proclaim that Christ Jesus was raised from the dead, simply refuse to believe. They say that the resurrection was a miracle and therefore it cannot be believed.

            Such people are deceived into believing that if the disciples claim to have seen Jesus alive there must be some explanation for that besides the resurrection of the dead. They believe that there must be some “natural” explanation for the claimed appearances other than a miracle happened.

            We as believers must resist this teaching with all of our strength. We must rely on the teachings of both the New and Old Testaments to explain that the resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament. We will look at these scriptures in the days to come. That we may be firmly established in our faith in the truth of the resurrection.

Prayer:

            Lord God almighty who raised Jesus from the dead thank you for your indescribable gift of your son Jesus to be our savior. We could not reach up to heaven because of our sin nature, so you came down and became flesh that we might be judged righteous before you. Thank you, Father. We lift our praises to thee throughout the whole world and from ages long past to today and tomorrow. You are worthy to be worshiped for your saving power. Amen.