IF CHRIST BE NOT RAISED, THEN WHAT REMAINS?
There is a voice in every generation that seeks to keep the teachings of Jesus while discarding His cross and resurrection. But such a faith is not Christianity but a shadow that cannot save (1 Corinthians 15:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:5). For the message of Christ was never presented as mere moral instruction, but as the saving work of God through His death and rising again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 5:8-10).
If we remove the atonement, we are left with sin still upon us, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, and no teaching alone can cleanse the heart (Hebrews 9:22; Jeremiah 17:9; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5-6). Jesus did not come merely to advise sinners, but to bear their sins in His own body on the tree, accomplishing what no man could do for himself. If we remove the resurrection, then death still reigns, and Christ Himself is counted among the dead with no victory to proclaim (1 Corinthians 15:14; Romans 6:9).
The apostles did not preach a philosophy, but a risen Lord whom they had seen. They declared that God had made Him both Lord and Christ through resurrection power (Acts 2:32-36; Acts 4:33). To “follow the teachings” of Jesus while denying His resurrection is to call Him a teacher but reject His own testimony. He declared that He would rise again the third day (Luke 24:6-7; John 2:19-21).
Such a position does not honor Christ, but contradicts Him, turning His words into fragments while discarding the very foundation upon which they stand. If Christ be not raised, then faith is empty, preaching is empty, and those who trust in Him remain in their sins, no matter how noble their intentions may seem (1 Corinthians 15:14-17).
The power of Christianity does not lie in its ethics alone, but in the living Christ who justifies, transforms, and gives life to those who believe (Romans 4:25). A Christianity without the cross may inspire, but it cannot redeem (1 Corinthians 1:18). A Christianity without the empty tomb may comfort, but it cannot conquer death (2 Timothy 1:10). It is the crucified and risen Christ who stands at the center, not as an optional belief, but as the very heart of the gospel itself (1 Corinthians 2:2; John 11:25).
Therefore, we do not merely admire His teachings, we trust in His finished work. We do not merely follow His example, we depend upon His life (Philippians 3:8-10; Hebrews 12:2). For in Christ crucified and risen, we find not only truth to live by, but salvation to stand upon, both now and forever (Romans 10:9; 1 Peter 1:3).
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Lord, keep us anchored in the truth of the gospel, that we may never separate Your teachings from Your saving work. Strengthen our faith in the cross and the empty tomb, and guard us from every shadow of truth that denies Your power. Let us know You not only as Teacher, but as Savior and risen Lord, in whom we have life everlasting. Amen.
BDD
