And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:17-22).
Today's Morsel: The resurrection is probably one of the most misunderstood subjects to many people, as they do not understand how it apply to their lives. Those who have not been born again of the water and the spirit cannot understand how it applies. We are all born in sin and shapen in iniquity. Paul told the church at Ephesus, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). In other words, he said that they were dead in their sins, but God raised them up. Until a person repents of their sins and is baptized in Jesus name, they are still dead in their sins. And sin cannot enter heaven. We must be resurrected to walk in newness of life. Jesus told Martha in John 11:25, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). The apostle John said in the book of Revelation, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:5-6). Speaking of the people of old before the flood, Peter said, "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:20-21). Peter said that baptism saves us the same as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul said, for since by man came death (Adam), even so by man also came the resurrection (Life) by Jesus Christ. We all possessed that Adamic nature when we are born into this world. Therefore, we must repent of our sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and be filled with His Spirit, and then rise and walk in newness of life. "For as in Adam all died," Paul said. But he also said, "Even so in Jesus Christ shall all be made alive by the resurrection." If you don't feel as though you have life within yourself, how were you baptized?
Sing: I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today; I know that He is living, no matter what men say; I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way, He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
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