| What If?
by Joni Eareckson Tada |
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| “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 to be pitied more than all men.”
1 Corinthians 15:16-19 |
| I once heard a Christian on a religious television program say with glee, “The Christian life is so great, I’d believe it even if it weren’t true.” Her cohost agreed and added, “Even if in the end we found out that the whole thing is not true, I’d still be glad for all the spiritual disciplines that have helped us live better lives.” Something about their words did not sit well. Would we honestly say, “It was a good life anyway” if we ultimately discovered that Scientology was the real answer?
The apostle Paul had an answer: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (emphasis added). This is how critical the resurrection of Christ is. If Christ is not raised from the dead, our faith is not only futile but a mockery. Our pain has no purpose. If no resurrection, the universe is ruled by the roll of the dice. Unlike the hosts of the religious program, I wouldn’t weakly smile and say, “Well, it was worth the try.” I would collapse in horror.
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). Take a moment and consider all that Christ’s resurrection means. The cross satisfied God’s justice and holiness. A way was opened up by which to know the Father. Not just our souls but our bodies will one day be redeemed. Our suffering is not in vain, and our hardships fit into a plan for our good and God’s glory. We have escaped hell. Heaven is our inheritance. Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
I’m relieved Good Friday didn’t have the last say…Sunday did! Thank you, Lord, for all that your resurrection means. |
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| Taken from More Precious than Silver
By Joni Eareckson Tada
Copyright © 1998
Published in Print by Zondervan, Grand Rapids
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. |
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