The Resurrection of Christ

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 

The world does not want to believe in the resurrection of Christ.  

The Resurrection poses two problems. One, it proves life after death, and two, if there is life after death, then heaven and hell exist. As long as people believe in rebirths, they do not have to worry about rewards or punishment. Then, they can live as they please. The Sadducees of Jesus’ day belonged to a similar category. With no belief in afterlife and resurrection, they had no need to worry about rewards or punishment in the life to come! 

The Bible says, “But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). It is not just based on the empty tomb and the testimonies of those who had seen the risen Lord with their own eyes. I believe changed lives are the greatest proof of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus! 

James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah while Jesus was alive. Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that Jesus appeared to James, the brother of Jesus, after His resurrection. Then James became a courageous leader of the Jerusalem church, courageous enough to be stoned to death for his faith. Paul encountered the risen Lord while he was on his way to persecute the Christians in Damascus. That encounter transformed Paul into a zealous missionary! 

The transformed disciples are the greatest testimonies of resurrection, and their transformed lives touched many!  

It is the same even now! 

When a preacher was asked why the world has not been reached with the Gospel of Christ, he replied, ‘They have either met a Christian or not met a Christian.’ The statement sounds like a paradox, but it is not. Those who have met a Christian could not put their trust in Jesus because of their bad testimony, and others are yet to meet a genuine Christian with a transformed life!  

A transformed life is a powerful testimony to the risen Lord.  

The question we have to answer today is whether I am a transformed believer. 

We may call ourselves Christians, but if our lives and values are no different from the world around us, our lives will not impact anyone. We may call ourselves Christians, but if the fruit of the Spirit is not evident in our lives, then our lives will not impact anyone.  

My friend, if we have met the risen Lord Jesus, then our lives will surely be transformed! The world needs transformed lives! 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me live an impactful life while I live so that I can be the light drawing people to You. Amen.