Invest in a Certain Future
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1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 29-34
20. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. . . . 29. Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30. Why am I in peril every hour? 31. I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32. What 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." 33. Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 34. Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
In “The Message” these last couple of verses are translated: Awaken to the holiness of life. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford at times like these. What Paul is saying in this particular scripture is pretty convicting – for me, at least! He asks us to think about how we’re living. Are we living like we really believe in the resurrection? Are we making the hard choices, rather than taking the “easy way out” and succumbing to the pressures of this world? Are we being true to our “rebirth” as Christians, or are we settling for how our outward appearances look?
These are hard questions to apply to ourselves. On the one hand, God wants us to see himself reflected when we look in the mirror. Christ’s death – but more importantly his resurrection – changed us into creatures capable of reflecting God’s energy, love, power to a fallen and sin-filled world. But are we standing in the light of salvation and rejoicing in the resurrection we’ll have through Christ? Or are we going through the motions, and hoping it’s enough? That’s what Paul wants to know. That’s what he warns about.
God knows we’re full of sin. He knows because he created us. And because he loves us so much, he sent himself/his son to demonstrate the depth and breadth and height, the power and strength of his love for us. If we don’t believe all this is the case, then why do we bother even pretending? It’s hard work to be a committed, prayerful, reflective and intentional Christian. But at least we know the reward that awaits us at the end of time! Isn’t it a wiser investment of our time, energy, resources to live like resurrection people!? Isn’t Easter better than Good Friday?
Wise up. Change you ways. Make an investment in eternity. Perfection is not required – that was already achieved for us in Christ Jesus. But striving for that perfection is certainly the minimum requirement!
With all the talk these days about Social Security running out and the stock market being so uncertain, unemployment and building costs fluctuating, and oil prices back and forth, isn’t it reassuring to know that there is one thing, one truth, one hope upon which we can base our lives? Jesus Christ, crucified, dead and risen!
I hope today you decide to keep investing in the certain future promised us by Christ upon the Cross. And that you’ll yield a huge dividend when Christ comes again to judge us all.
Mary
