Let's Pray

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Good morning church,

1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable

There are many reasons why men turn to Christ,,why they are Christians. Some just happened to be born into Christianity, others was influenced into it in school, others are explorers. Yet others see some BENEFITS for being Christians and desiring to appropriate these, they become Christians.

Exactly what are the BENEFITS of being a Christian?

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul seeks to correct a fatally erroneous notion that there is no resurrection. Supposing there were no resurrection. Are there any meaningful tangible benefits of the Christian Faith?

Paul's answer to this question is answered in v19. Christianity loses meaning in absence of a  hope in resurrection. In that case, all the BENEFITS of the faith are realized in this life, between your birth and death. In the first century where Christians suffered severe persecution, it would make even far less sense for subscribing to this faith where it was as good as a ticket to death. And this is Paul's point; the BENEFITS of Christianity are realized in eternity. Whatever comes your way under the sun are uncertain and not much. In fact I can't think of any BENEFIT unique to believers under the sun.

Hope of resurrection looks like a funny reason for our faith but that's all there is to it. When believers are having it all going, they least ponder on eternity. This is perhaps why Jesus said it is easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the kingdom. Point is the PRESENT comforts easily blind us to the the real BENEFITS of our faith, the glorious resurrection. On the other hand, misery,pain and failure readily draws our attention to eternity. It ought not to be so.

We are increasingly alienating suffering from our faith. We have no room for suffering in our teaching. Because we are busy teaching all we have is NOW. Our 'best life now' kind of preaching. Those who believe and receive are paraded as examples. Those believing and not receiving are routinely ignored and judged as faithless. I look forward for testimonies of how believers died painful deaths in faith, and not just received hearings or miracle jobs.

Would your faith in Christ be as strong should you lose everything? Are you bothered by resurrection hope or you are well and couldn't care less?

Have a Resurrection-hope filled Lord's Day as we worship the One with the Name above e
All Names, at whose mention EVERY knee will bow, Jesus the Lord of All(Philipians 2:10)