by Linda Veath Cox

If …

[it] is true [that the dead will not be raised to life], it means that Christ was not raised; and if Christ has not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe. … If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 19 GNB

Have you ever taken time to ponder what our lives would be like if Christ had not been raised from the dead? Just think about that …..

If Christ had not been raised from the dead, we would still be in our sins, bearing the burden of our guilt and condemnation. No forgiveness. No salvation. No deliverance from the power of death and the devil.

If Christ had not been raised from the dead, we would be left in the grave too. No citizenship in heaven. No mansion prepared for us by Christ. No “well done, good and faithful servant.” No reunion with our loved ones because those who have already died have perished and will stay in their graves.

If Christ had not been raised from the dead, we would have no one interceding at the throne of grace for us. No Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love, comfort, and guidance. Nothing to put our faith in. No Good News to share with others. Our lives would be empty and futile with no hope and no purpose.

Yes, indeed, if Christ had not been raised from the dead, we are to be more pitied than anyone else in the world.

But—GLORY HALLELUJAH!—Christ did rise from the grave! He conquered death and delivered us from its power! Our sins have been forgiven! We have no more guilt! No more condemnation! Christ is interceding for us at the throne of grace! Our lives—filled with the Holy Spirit—have purpose as we share our faith, our hope, and the Good News of salvation.

And we have eternal life! We’re citizens of heaven with a mansion prepared just for us. Christ will come and take us to be with Him. We will see Him and our loved ones. And thanks to Christ’s resurrection, we will be forever with our Lord.

Assuredly, we are of all men most blessed!

Have a joyous Easter!