There are two extremely unbelievable truths to wrap your head around if you are going to be a follower of Jesus Christ. God has designed His redemption for our lives in such a manner that the most unbelievable truths about Jesus are also the most necessary truths to believe. One of the unbelievable but necessary truths is the fact that Jesus was born to a virgin girl named Mary. This truth is pivotal. The other unbelievable but necessary truth is the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Paul said that if you did not embrace this truth you would miss out on all of the promises His life delivered.

In 1 Corinthians 15:14 Paul says, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 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. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”

If Christ is not raised, then a believer is to be pitied more than any person on planet earth. You must believe the unbelievable truth that Jesus is alive. Paul does a great job of telling us what we lose if we do not embrace in the resurrection of Christ. However, I would like to turn his statements around and remind you what you receive if you do embrace the power of His resurrection.

• Faith in Christ is powerful and life changing.

Just as Jesus opened the door to new life when He rose from the grace, He also opened the door so that anyone who places his or her faith in Him can partake of His new life.

• Your testimony is valid.

The empty tomb is evidence that you do not embrace a legend or a myth. Your testimony is validated by the fact that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to you.

• Your Sins are forgiven.

Paul stated that if Christ is not raised then we are in our sins. However, since Christ has been raised, that means as far as the east is from the west, He has removed our sins from us.

• You have hope beyond this life.

Since Christ lives, we know that all of those who have gone on before us believing in Christ also live beyond this life. The fact that the resurrection is real proves that your hope is real.

• Your life should inspire hope in others.

Paul says something very potent. He says that if Christ has not been raised then we are to be pitied. However, since Christ is alive, we are not to be pitied but rather our lives should inspire hope to those around us.

Today’s Challenge: Embrace the fact that Jesus is alive. The unbelievable has occurred which means He can do the unbelievable in your life. He can forgive, heal, give hope, and display His power. Lean on the fact that the power and the hope of your life come from the living Christ. Allow that hope to empower you and inspire others today. Pray that Jesus will infuse your life with the reality of the resurrection.