Glorious Hope

Scripture Reading 15:12-34

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

Observation

The life lived with Christ is not just a life based in the hope of the past. We live in the great hope of the future. Christ died for us and we live in this hope from the past, this is true, but this is not the only hope that we live in. We live in the hope for the future, that hope is the resurrection of the dead. Just as our forgiveness came through one man, Jesus, so to, our hope for resurrection comes through one man, Jesus. Jesus was the first and will not be the last. Those who follow him will enter into resurrection along with Christ!

Paul offers a warning though at the end of this passage.

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 say this to your shame.

So we must live in the hope of the future whilst living now just as Christ has called us to live. There are people who don’t know Christ, the hope from the past or the hope of resurrection, this is to our shame.

Application

Who do we know who do not know of Christ’s great hope? Pray for them daily and look for opportunities to show them how you live with great hope!

Prayer

Jesus our hope, I pray for those who don’t know the great hope of your gospel, may I live my life impacted by your promises, so that those who do not know you cannot help but come to know of your hope through me.