1 Corinthians 15:12-34 - The Power of the Resurrection

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still guilty in your sins. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead... The last enemy to be destroyed is death... Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.' Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God..."

I really like this devotional today because it is on a topic that we forget to emphasize very often in the life of the church--the Resurrection of Christ and it's power.

There is a lot to this passage, which you can read all the way through on your own time, but I want to touch on the highlighted passages above. I gather 3 things about the significance and power of the resurrection from this passage:

1) Paul was addressing a group of people at the church in Corinth who were saying that there is no such thing as a physical resurrection of the body. Paul sternly counters this opinion and states that indeed there was a physical resurrection because Christ was physically resurrected. It was witnessed by many. He then says, if there is no resurrection, then Christ's death was pointless and we have no hope as human beings. Christ did rise from the dead and we do have hope in Christ! Do not separate the power of the blood and death on the cross from the glory and power of Christ's resurrection and it's victory! Through these two combined our sins are conquered.
2) Death is something that started with Adam and will end with Christ. Those who put their hope in Christ will, in fact, live for eternity in heaven with Christ. Death will not be a factor any longer.
3) Paul urges that we hold fast to this truth and are not led astray. Do not allow people who don't believe the truth to corrupt the hope that you have in Jesus Christ.

Whatever you are going through in this life, know that there is hope and victory through the death AND RESURRECTION of Christ for those who trust in Him.