My faith is based on Christ taking on my sin and paying for it as He was crucified on the cross. And then He was raised from death on the third day to demonstrate His glory and authority over all things, including death. But where would I be if He had not died and been raised from the dead.
“32What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:32 (ESV)
If Christ had not died and rose again, then all that I do in this world is futile and I should just continue on with it as when I die, I die.
You see, I believe that thanks to the death and resurrection of Christ, I will be rise again after my death in this world. No, not to walk again among man, but to walk with Christ in the heavenly kingdom promised to me as heir to the throne of grace. I was promised the heavenly kingdom thanks to the grace of salvation I accepted when offered by God. He gave His son as a sacrifice for my sin and allowed Him to die for that sin even as He had no sin Himself. But God did to keep Jesus as dead, He raised Him from the dead to show the way for me after my life is done in this world.
The death and resurrection of Christ is the example given for me to live by in this world. I have given myself to Christ in thanks for taking on my sin and death so that I would not have to. And, He in return gave me life eternal. Not in this world, but in heaven. And to get there, I have to be raised again from this world and on to heaven. If Christ had not been raised, then there would be no example to believe and follow. So, I gain from the dead being raised as Christ rose again for me.
What is your view of death? Is your life just over? What if you were to believe in Christ, His death, and resurrection and that you gain the heavenly reward?
Trevor's Thoughts 