What if there was no resurrection?

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. – 1 Corinthians 15:13-20

Here it is again – Resurrection Day. It is the say that is unique in world history because this was the day that death was crushed to death. It was the day that the worst that could happen became the best. Jesus rose from the dead and nothing would ever be the same again!

But what if there was no resurrection? What if the doubters were and are right? What if it was all a trick?

We don’t have to wonder – Paul poses the same question, and then he gives the answer.

If there is no resurrection -

Christ is not risen

Preaching is empty

Faith is empty

We are liars

Faith is a waste

We are in our sins

Dead Christians are perished

We are most pitiable

What a mess. In other words if there were no resurrection why should we bother? Without it we are without hope in this present world.

But there is a resurrection.

And because of that our preaching is worth whatever it takes. Our faith will bear fruit. We have the truth. We have victory over death.

At the end of this chapter Paul puts it this way when he wraps up the discussion of the resurrection:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Because there is a resurrection we have already won. It will be worth it all.