How Are You Spending Your Eternity?

“The fact is that Christ did actually rise from the dead and has become the first of millions who will come back to life again someday.” –  1 Corinthians 15:20 (The Living Bible)

 

The truth is, Christians never really die.

 

Even though our bodies decompose after death, they are really just resting until resurrection day. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul speaks of Christians who have died as simply having “fallen asleep,” because Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our resurrection. In verses 21-22, Paul drives this point home: “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

 

Both Adam and Jesus blazed a trail of rewards and consequences for everyone who would come after them. Adam brought us sin and death. Jesus brought us righteousness and life. ALL of us have inherited Adam’s undesirable gift of sin and death. But only those who reach out in faith to Jesus Christ will inherit His gift of righteousness and life.

 

Sadly, many of the Corinthian Christians’ neighbors didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they didn’t believe in a Judgment Day. They thought there would be no consequences for any of their choices here on earth. So, they figured they might as well live it up! Drink to your heart’s content. Have sex whenever and with whomever you want. Who cares about anyone else? Live for yourself!

 

Hedonism makes sense if there’s no life after death. But since both our resurrection and a day of judgment are guaranteed, hedonism is spiritual suicide. Paul warns in verses 33-34: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to shame you.”

 

In this passage, I believe God is revealing 3 undeniable truths:

 

Truth #1: Only those who are ignorant of God don’t believe in the resurrection (v. 33). To know God is to know that He has provided indisputable evidence for the resurrection. Jesus holds the keys of eternal life. His life conquers death.

 

Truth #2: Our good character can be corrupted easily by cynics whose unbelief fuels their hedonism (v. 33). Bad company DOES corrupt good morals. If you hang out with dirty dogs, don’t be surprised if you wake up with fleas.

 

Truth #3: In order to act right, we must BELIEVE right. Coming back to our senses requires us to cling to sound doctrine (v. 34). There is a direct correlation between bad beliefs and bad morals. Bad morals arise from unbelieving hearts that don’t believe in God or fear Judgment Day.

 

But if you follow Jesus Christ, you know the truth: His resurrection guarantees YOUR resurrection. And His eternal life guarantees YOUR eternal life. And you know that you will have to give an account of your life on Judgment Day.

 

One day you will stand before Jesus, and your entire life will be fed through the flames of testing. Only what you’ve done for Jesus, and in Jesus’ name, will survive the flames. So, your words and deeds matter. Your priorities matter. Most of all, your beliefs matter … both now and in eternity.

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.