When Believers Should Be Pitied

Paul has to remind the Corinthians of the Gospel because people in the church were trying to tweak it to fit the conventional wisdom of the day (i.e., there is no resurrection of the dead). Paul did not take a pragmatic approach to the problem -- "Well, even if there is no resurrection of the dead, being Christians will make the world a better place." Paul wrote: If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied (I Cor. 15:19). Consider the ramifications of his emphasis on the resurrection and its relationship to the ultimate purpose of the Gospel -- seeing and savoring God's glory forever:

Being loving, gentler, more patient -- a nicer person in this life because of Jesus -- most to be pitied. Jesus said too many strange things to be a good example of 'nice.'

Singing songs of worship to Jesus -- most to be pitied. What's the point? He's dead.

Going as or supporting missionaries to people groups who do not know Christ -- most to be pitied. Why, don't they have nice people to imitate?

Taking up one's cross, dying for the cause of Christ -- most to be pitied. Just exactly what is the cause?

If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Consider a gospel by which God delivers up His Son to bring us to God - I Peter 3:18

Consider a gospel where the Son glorifies the Father to the point of death, even death on a cross so that sinners' minds, blinded by the god of this age and easily distracted by shiny trinkets, can be given sight to see the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus -- John 17, Philippians 2, II Corinthians 4.

Consider a gospel in which we purify ourselves in these mortal bodies because our hope is that one day we shall see Christ in his glorified state; we will be able to see Him just as He is because we shall be like Him -- I John 3.

Consider a gospel in which the Father has given all judgment to the Son and that at His voice, one day all people will be raised from the dead and the Son will make the judgment as to who receives a resurrection of life and who will receive a resurrection of judgment - John 5.

Consider a gospel in which the Son asks the Father that all whom the Father has given the Son would one day be with Him in order that they would see His glory - John 17.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. . . then comes the end when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and authority and power. . . Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord -- I Corinthians 15:20, 24, 58

-- TWMathis