If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:14
Even as country music legend Johnny Cash was approaching death, he was determined to keep making music. His final album, American VI: Ain’t No Grave, was recorded in the final months of his life. The title song, Cash’s version of a hymn by Claude Ely, gives insight into his final thoughts as we hear him sing of his hope of the resurrection. His famously deep voice, though weakened by his declining health, declares a powerful testimony of faith.
Johnny’s hope wasn’t simply in the fact that Jesus was resurrected on Easter Sunday morning; he believed that one day his own physical body would also be resurrected, and he’d rise again.
It’s an important truth to affirm because even in the days of the apostle Paul, people denied a future physical resurrection. Paul strongly critiqued their argument when he wrote, “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” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).
Just as the grave couldn’t hold Jesus’ body, one day all those who have faith that He was resurrected “will be made alive” (v. 22). And in our resurrected bodies, we’ll enjoy all eternity with Him on a new earth. That’s reason to sing!
What comfort does the hope of physical resurrection bring to you? How’s it an expression of faith?
Jesus, thank You for giving me the amazing hope of a future in heaven with You.
INSIGHT
When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 15 around ad 53-55, there were various erroneous views about the resurrection of the dead (see Acts 23:8; 26:8; 2 Timothy 2:17-18). Refuting false teachers who said there wasn’t any resurrection, the apostle affirms the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of believers as the cornerstone of faith in Him (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). At the heart of the gospel is Jesus’ atoning death and bodily resurrection: “Christ died for our sins . . . , he was raised on the third day” (vv. 3-4). His resurrection affirms the sufficiency of His sacrifice. God accepted Jesus’ payment for our sins by raising Him from the dead: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25; see 6:4-11). Paul warns, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).