It’s a Pitiful Life, part 1 April 4, 2010
What if Christianity turns out to be a total sham? What if there is noresurrection, and your faith is good only for what it offers you in this life?Would Christianity still be a good life to choose? Considering all theimmediate benefits to being a Christian, some might say, “Sure, Christianity isthe best way of life, even if there is no life after death. It gives me hope,peace, confidence, and joy. It helps me have good relationships with people. Afterall, Jesus did call it the ‘abundant life,’ right?”
But whatdoes Paul say? “If only for this lifewe have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Cor 15:19 NIV).And a few verses later, he suggests the best alternative lifestyle: “If thedead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (v 32). Inother words, if there is no resurrection, we might as well go for our best lifenow. Enjoy yourself, because this is all there is. Have fun. Make a buck. Liveit up.
If Easter is a lie, the American Dreammakes perfect sense. But if Jesus truly did rise from the dead, then the goalset of a nice house, good job, fun vacations, and relaxing retirement of theAmerican Dream is, at best, sub-Christian. Want to know how much Easter mattersto you? Examine what you are living for right this minute. If your deepesthopes and dreams could be granted without the need for life after death, it’snot a wonderful life; it’s a pitiful life. “Do we have hope in Christ only forthis life? Then people should pity us more than anyone else” (NIrV).
But why? Stay tuned…