19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. 28When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:19-28, NRSV)
How many of us remember B.A. Baracus, “I pity da fool.” This is an interesting passage for me because this says that “if for this life only we have hoped in Christ,” which to me means if we only hope in Christ for life now. And that is really the opposite of what I think most people hope in Christ for. Most people think that hope in Christ will get us eternal life with God. Which it will, but hope in Christ also give us abundant life now.
You see death came through Adam and our life comes through Jesus for life eternal and abundant now. It isn’t an either-or but a both-and.
Do not be one to be pitied, trust in eternal life and abundant life here and now. That is what Christ did for all of us.
aSacredRebel 