Resurrection

And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. [1 Corinthians 15.16-19]

Resurrection is an interesting topic, is it not? I mean, resurrection really sets Christianity and Christians apart.

Here's the deal: if we believe in the resurrection from the dead, what's the big deal with healing or miraculous provision? Are not all these classified as supernatural? And if we believe in one, we must necessarily believe in all.

If the Bible says God heals us and the Bible says we will be raised from the dead, can we choose which we will believe and which we will reject? I don't think so! Can we corporately (as the Body of Christ) anticipate the resurrection at the last day while ignoring God's promises of healing and provision in the present? Again, I don't think so!

How can we deny the power of God while living these lives on earth only to expect a full manifestation of it in the last days? Doesn't that seem just a bit conflicted?

Psalm 103 stands in stark contrast to what most believe today:

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! [Psalm 103.1-5]

But the same Bible that contains Psalm 103 also contains 1 Corinthians 15! To believe in Christ is to believe in God's power, period. God's power is not limited to a specific time in history! God's power is, and has ALWAYS been, available to those who believe!

Sadly, many Christian "only believe in science" (to quote a line from the movie Nacho Libre). The problem with this claim is that one is hard pressed to profess "Christianity" when Christ, whom they supposedly follow and serve, gave "science" no real passing thought whatsoever! And then, after living a life and example of power and miracles, to "ice the cake" Jesus rose from the dead. Why do modern Christians want to exclude power and miracles in their daily lives, but then insist they will rise from the dead? It is inconsistent and just makes no sense.

Father help us to be consistent with what we believe and profess regarding Christ! Help us to see that the resurrection of Christ implicates all who would profess Him as Lord.