following my Resurrected Lord

1 Corinthians 15

Oddly, the Corinthians had begun to dispute the reality of the Resurrection. I've heard similar things today from some Christians that the whole thing was actually symbolic. That Jesus did not raise, that He has no body. Paul reminded the Corinthians that in fact hundreds had seen the physically risen Lord, Jesus Christ.  Paul pointed to all the witnesses to give validity to the case and reminded them that "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." Witnesses in plenty are important to me, because I can point to this as fact, if my faith gets a bit shaky.

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." All these lines from the Messiah...I sing them in my head every time I run across one during my devotions. Anyway...Because of the Resurrection, the dread of the centuries from the Fall of Adam was put to rest. No longer was there a hope that a Messiah would come and save men from the grave. It happened. Now it is up to mankind to continue in faith and remember.

It also turned the hope of those that were baptized by proxy for their departed loved ones into conviction and joy. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"

"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory." All will be resurrected but receive different levels of glory according to what they sowed in life. Did they accept Jesus, His message, His commands, His doctrines, and so forth? Did they receive His image in their continence? Did they strive to be like Him? Did they choose to use the gift of repentance and grace? Did they die in their sins?

Knowledge of the resurrection and the kingdoms of glory influences my choices and way of life on earth. I want to be happy here and there. The choices I make today will determine this outcome. No, I don't believe I can buy my way into heaven; it is a gift from Jesus. I do believe I sow what I reap. If I accept Him, His message, His commandments, His doctrines, strive to be like Him, study His ways and word, attempt to emulate His character, use His gift of repentance and grace, pray always, and receive His image in my continence, I do my best to follow His commandments and will receive His offered prize. This is not buying my way into heaven it is following my Resurrected Lord.