Raise!Sample

Raised to a living faith.

In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 we find the word ‘raised’ nine times. Nine times! I invite you to take time and read this Scripture now.

Raised is past tense. It has happened. Jesus has been raised!

Christian living is based on the affirmative truth that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Without this truth our faith is futile, says Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:17). A quick glance in the dictionary tells us that futile means ‘serving no purpose’ or ‘completely ineffective’ (Mirriam-Webster).

Because Jesus has been raised, we live a present-tense faith. Paul celebrates a present-tense, now faith, saying to the Church of Thessalonica, ‘your faith is growing more and more’ (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV). Faith is not futile. Faith grows more and more. Faith brings Kingdom life!

Years ago, as a church leader at Mississauga Temple in Canada, Jack the custodian gave me a beautiful African violet plant. With a smile, knowing my plant-growing capabilities, he challenged me to keep it alive. It was a good effort on my part, but futile.

Faith is not futile. Faith grows as it is tended to. Faith in a raised Saviour invites us to say, ‘The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Galatians 2:20 NIV).

Jesus was raised, and we are raised to new life. Together we proclaim: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! … he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead’ (1 Peter 1:3 NIV).

As we journey by faith, I leave with you some of the first words spoken by our risen Saviour: ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24:36 NIV).