Our Hope In Christ Leads To Eternal Life

And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 1 Corinthians 15:19

When writing to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul had to deal with problems within the church. He dealt with some moral concerns and also corrected some doctrinal issues.

In this chapter, he addressed the notion of some who taught against the resurrection of the dead. So, he reminded the church of the foundational teaching they initially believed.

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

These false teachers argued that no one would rise after they died. The apostle took issue with their erroneous thinking. He told them our hope in Christ goes further than this life.

But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 1 Corinthians 15:12-13

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Paul indirectly said since you say no resurrection exists, then I have wasted your time and mine. He said if Christ didn’t rise, then we would have no hope because of our useless teachings.

If Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:14-15

Proof of Our Hope in Christ

The apostle continued to offer proof of our hope in Christ. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, He revealed Himself to the apostles and many other witnesses.

He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:5-7

Take the time to read the fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians. The apostle continued his dialog on the resurrection of Christ, which gives us hope for our future.

Other New Testament writers also confirmed His resurrection and our hope in Christ. Jesus Himself spoke openly with His followers of the resurrection.

In a conversation with Martha, Jesus reassured her of His resurrection from the dead. Then, He demonstrated a resurrection from the dead by raising her brother, Lazarus.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. John 11:25-26

Peter the apostle also gave the assurance of hope to all who call upon our Lord Jesus Christ. Only through His name will we receive the inheritance of eternal life.

It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance —an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1 Peter 1:3-4

God Benefited Us

When Paul wrote a second letter to the Corinthians telling them why God will raise us from the dead. God did it for our benefit. Therefore, we must keep our hope in Christ.

We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. 2 Corinthians 4:14-15

Some think that only the New Testament mentions the resurrection. Hope for eternal life existed in the Old Testament even though it doesn’t actually name Christ.

Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Daniel 12:2-3

Isaiah prophesied about the birth of Christ and also shed a ray of hope for the righteous. He spoke about those who lived their lives for the Lord.

But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! Isaiah 26-19

Resurrection in the Psalms

And, of course, the Psalms contain encouraging words of resurrection and hope in Christ, who sits on David’s throne.

But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Psalm 49:15
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. Psalm 16:9-10
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. Psalm 71:20

Christ and Him Crucified is Our Only Hope

Paul said that God always looks out for our benefit. Our hope in Jesus comes when we believe He died and rose again from the dead. And we accept it for ourselves.

God wants you in heaven with Him for all eternity. Don’t get the wrong idea that you can work or earn your way into heaven. Without Christ, we have no hope.

And no matter how good, popular, or religious, you will never be good enough. God made a way for us to join Him for eternity by His grace, which only comes through faith.

Faith in Christ gives us the hope we need. In Romans, we read the following assuring verses.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:23-25

Lord, thank you for giving us hope in your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe He died and rose from the dead. Thus, I believe that because of His sacrifice, He has forgiven all my sins.