1 Corinthians 15:16-17, "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."
Evidently there were some people who did not believe the doctrine of the resurrection. We know that the religious group known as the Saduccees were part of this movement. However, Paul uses basic logic here, and proves that if Christ did not rise from the dead then the Christian faith is null and void. There is no Christian faith without the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And if there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ then we are all doomed in our sins and trespasses.
This brings to my mind how often religious people focus on controversies that subvert the true faith. What are the essentials? What are the things we can disagree on and still be brothers? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is absolutely a fundamental essential.
Father God, I read in the book of Job how this man in his suffering knew about the resurrection of the dead. He was looking forward to that day when he would stand upon the earth and his flesh see God! Lord, I am thankful for the hope that I have in the resurrection. I am thankful that my faith rests upon the solid foundation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
