For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures... But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all others.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a human being. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Cor 15, excerpts, TNIV, emphasis mine)
I believe this with all my heart. Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. He is alive today. He is seeking out every person - not just a few. The bad ones, the good ones. Those who help thousands with good deeds and those who commit heinous crimes. People who share your political views and those who are on the opposing side. Every single human being is someone God created, someone Jesus died for, and someone we're chasing down to bring into the Kingdom! Every Single One.
He's Alive! And because of that truth, we're alive, too!
More thoughts are coming....
Brian
Could you at least warn us next time to bring boxes of tissues! and kudos on the country song- it was perfect!
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