More Things To Ponder

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, [my musings are] 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 men. (1 Corinthians 15:12–19, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “They say there’s a heaven for those who will wait. Some say it’s better but I say it ain’t. I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun. You know that only the good die young. I tell ya only the good die young.” (“Only the Good Die Young,” by Billy Joel).

Where would you cast your lots (joining this person or this group and, therefore, join the fate of these people)? Sinning might be “much more fun,” but is it worth risking the possible crying (“weeping and gnashing of teeth“) that comes later when “you yourselves [are] thrust out” of the heaven you were unwilling to wait for?

Or would you rather not risk being “pitied more than all men” in case there is no heaven? Is “[swearing] there ain’t no heaven and [praying] there ain’t no hell [worth the] dying [to] tell?” (“And When I Die,” by Blood, Sweat and Tears). You “can imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try. No hell below us. Above us only sky.” (“Imagine,” by John Lennon). But what if there is? Which “faith is [more] futile?” Which fate would you rather join?

My Advice – “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20–22, NIV 1984). “You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, [in] the world [that is to come].” (Adapted from “Imagine,” by John Lennon).

You can only join us in the world to come if you are “in” Christ. Only His dying could save us from hell.