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If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:19
D.L. MOODY
To deny the resurrection is to say that we will never see more of the loved ones whose bodies have been committed to the clay. If Christ has not risen, this life is the only one.
How cruel it is to have anyone love you if this be true! How horrible that they should let the tendrils of your heart twine around them if, when they are torn away in death, that is to be the end! I would rather hate than love if I thought there would be no resurrection, because then I would feel no pangs at losing the hated thing. Oh, the cruelty of unbelief! It takes away our brightest hopes.
ERWIN LUTZER
I have never thought of putting it the way Moody did: If death were the end of it all, it would be best not to love the departed one, for it is love that makes the separation so difficult. Imagine, wrote Moody, if this life were the end, then hate would be better than love!
But loving those who have died is proper because we know we shall see them again. On our death bed, we need not say “goodbye.” but rather, “see you later.” Our love can continue and will be rekindled on the other side. And our love for Christ will be complete.
Jesus came to deliver us from hopelessness. If you are reading this and you feel hopeless, you are in the right place to receive comfort. As a believer, remember that eternity is coming and with it, the restoration of all relationships. And yes, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20–21).
For the Christian, this life is as bad as things will ever get. The best is yet to come.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, grant me the ability to look beyond this world to the next. May I know that my love will continue and my joy will be full.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why are all the promises of Christ rooted in the resurrection?
How does the truth of the resurrection of the dead (you included) affect how you live now?