No Resurrection = No Hope!

Sometimes as we think about the gospel message we understand the importance of Christ's death on the cross for our sins, but we do not completely understand the full importance of Christ's resurrection in the gospel.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul makes it clear that the resurrection is part of the gospel and is important in salvation. In vv.2-4 he says "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,..." Obviously the resurrection is important for someone to understand if they are placing their faith in Jesus Christ. I mean, who would want to believe in someone who died and is still dead.

Paul goes on in vv. 13-14: "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

Then in v. 17: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

And finally in v. 20: "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

This would be the longest blog ever if we went into all of the things that were provided for us by Christ's resurrection. But I want us to understand that Christ's resurrection means so much for as Christians. Without it, we have no hope and are still in our sins. Without it we have no eternal life. No doubt, it is something to remember every day and it is great to celebrate it on Easter.

For Christ to be our Savior, He had to be resurrected. His resurrection was just as important as His death for our salvation.

Romans 4:25 tells us that Christ was raised for our justification. Justification means that God the Father declares us to be NOT GUILTY. Although we have been forgiven, justification goes beyond that. Forgiveness recognizes guilt but refrains from judgement, justification declares one not guilty. But we are guilty as sinners (Romans 3:23), so how can God declare us not guilty? Only because Christ paid for our sins when He died on the cross. He died in our place and was made sin for us. And only if all sin had been paid for completely would God the Father be able to declare us not guilty. And if all sin had not been paid for, then Christ would not have been raised. Sin results in death and if a single sin placed on Christ had not satisfied God in payment of that sin, Christ would still be dead. But HE IS ALIVE and therefore the payment for sin was satisfactory to God.

We also read in that passage that Christ was the firstfruits of the resurrection. Because He was the firstfruits, we know that we too will be resurrected one day. In fact, all people will be raised one day. Those who are believers (having placed their faith in Christ ALONE for salvation) will be raised at the rapture (church age believers) and at the end of the tribulation (tribulation saints and OT saints). Unbelievers will be raised after the 1,000 year rule of Christ. Believers will be raised and spend eternity in heaven; unbelievers will be raised and spend eternity in hell.

As believers we are told that we are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4-5). This means we have resurrection life at the moment we trust Christ as Savior. Because of this resurrection life that we have, we should count ourselves alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).

We also have resurrection power in Christ. The same power that raised Christ is available to Christians. We have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We have power from God. We must utilize it. Because of Christ's work we have this available to us. This doesn't mean you are going to start healing people and raising people and flying and all that like super powers. But you have power from God meaning that nothing is too great to overcome in our lives...especially when we fall short. (Eph. 1:18-20)

We could go on, but I will stop there. Be reminded of the importance of Christ's resurrection and understand that Christ was raised so we do have hope. And give praise to God for it.

Resurrection = Hope!