"Because He Lives"

“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.  I have been constantly on the move.  I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

What motivates a man to endure such things?

The Apostle Paul, the one who did endure all these things, asked the same question:  “Why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” (1 Corinthians 15:30).

In the same chapter that he asked this question, Paul wrote about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  He asserted the truth of Christ’s resurrection 
(vs. 1-4).  He noted the witnesses of His resurrection (vs. 5-11).  Paul then discussed the importance of Christ’s resurrection (vs. 12-28).  To those who would deny the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul asked some questions (vs. 29-34), including the one mentioned above:  “And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” (v. 30).

The answer - is found in Paul’s statement:  “IF IN this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” (v. 19).  It was the expectation of his OWN resurrection made possible by the resurrection of Christ from the dead that motivated Paul to share the good news of Christ even though it caused him to stand in jeopardy every hour of his life.

Paul asserted some truths here that are important for us to understand.  

First, Christ lived on earth, died, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  His death, burial and resurrection made our salvation from sin possible (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 4:25).  
Second, Because Jesus, by the power of God, was raised from the dead, ALL will be raised at His second coming, some to a resurrection of life; others to the resurrection of condemnation (see John 5:28-29).  
Third, Those who obey that form of doctrine which "reenacts" the death, burial and resurrection of Christ through faith, repentance and baptism (Romans 6:1-4, 17) are cleansed from their sins and have the hope of being raised at His second coming to be with Christ forever in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

That which motivated Paul to live FOR Christ was the resurrection OF Christ and the promise of his OWN resurrection at the Lord's second coming. 

His motivation should be ours as well !

In the words of Bill and Gloria Gaither;

"God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus; He came to love, heal, and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives... I can face tomorrow; 
Because He lives... all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future, 
And life is worth the living just because..... HE LIVES."

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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