Our Hope Is In Jesus

Some of the people in the Corinthian church said there is no resurrection of the dead. The Apostle Paul took issue with the error of their thinking. He told them our hope in Jesus goes much further than this 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

The reason Paul wrote to the Corinthian church was to address some issues they were facing. One of them was a doctrine being spread by false teachers saying there was no resurrection.

Paul, however, reminded them of the doctrines he taught them when the church was first planted.

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

The Apostle continued to offer proof of the resurrection of Jesus with the following verses.

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

The Resurrection Is Taught Throughout the Bible

Paul in essence said to them Jesus made it no secret that He rose from the dead. Other New Testament writers also confirmed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the doctrine of the resurrection.

In a conversation with Martha the sister of Lazarus, the one raised from the dead, Jesus said these words.

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 that all who call upon the name of the Lord. Will receive an 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

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians the second time he told them why God would raise us up. Because it was for our benefit.

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

Jesus Is Our Only Hope

Aren’t you glad that God always looks out for our benefit? Our hope is in Jesus. He is our only hope. And you must believe He died and rose from the dead for you. For that is the only way you will get to heaven.

God wants you in heaven with Him for all eternity. And no matter how good we think we are, we will never be good enough.

So God made a way for us to get there through His grace. 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 making a way for us to spend eternity with you. We understand that our only hope is in Jesus. Therefore I believe that He died and rose from the dead.

I believe because of His sacrifice my sins are forgiven. I submit myself to you, Lord, teach me your ways.

Check out this related post called, Who In The World Can Be Saved?

Read all of 1 Corinthians 15.