Because Christ rose from the dead, it changes everything.
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Public service is often filled with challenges—long hours, difficult decisions, and a constant balancing act between duty and personal convictions. At times, it may feel as though our labor is in vain, that justice is elusive, or that the system is too broken to mend. But as we reflect on Paul’s words to the Corinthian church, we find an unshakable foundation for hope: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not merely a theological truth—it is a reality that shapes how we live, work, and serve.
Engaging with Doubt
In Corinth, believers struggled to understand the resurrection. They accepted that Christ had risen but questioned their own future resurrection. This skepticism is not unlike what we encounter today. Many in our society, even within government, operate under the assumption that power, influence, and legacy are all that endure. But Paul addresses these doubts head-on, taking them seriously rather than dismissing them. His method should serve as an example for us—whether we are engaging with colleagues who question our faith or wrestling with our own uncertainties. The gospel invites honest questions and provides real answers.
What Is Lost Without the Resurrection?
Paul presents a sobering reality: If Christ has not been raised, then everything we do as believers is futile.
Our faith is empty (vv. 14, 17). If Jesus is still in the grave, then our belief is meaningless, an we remain enslaved to sin.
Our work is in vain (v. 14). Every act of service, every push for justice, every policy crafted with good intent is ultimately futile if there is no eternal hope.
We misrepresent God (v. 15). If the resurrection is a lie, then our witness is not only mistaken but deceptive.
There is no hope for the departed (v. 18). Without resurrection, those who have died in faith are gone forever.
We are to be pitied (v. 19). If our hope in Christ is only for this life, then we have built our lives on a false promise.
These losses are staggering. Without the resurrection, the pursuit of justice is a losing battle, mercy is mere sentimentality, and righteousness is unattainable. Paul’s argument is clear: without the resurrection, all is lost.
What Is Gained with the Resurrection?
But Paul does not leave us in despair. He moves from “what is lost” to “what is gained” because of Christ’s resurrection.
Hope beyond this world (v. 19). In government work, where frustration and burnout are common, the resurrection reminds us that our labor is not in vain. The injustices we fight against will one day be undone by God’s ultimate justice.
Reunion with believers (v. 18). Every loved one lost in Christ will be raised in Him. Death does not have the final word.
Victory over sin (v. 17). We are no longer bound by guilt and failure; our sins have been paid for in full.
Truthfulness in witness (v. 15). We represent the living God, not a myth or wishful thinking.
Purpose in our work (v. 14). Public service is not just policymaking or administration; it is part of God’s broader plan of restoration.
Certainty in Christ’s resurrection (v. 20). Paul concludes with an emphatic truth: But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! His resurrection is the guarantee of our own, and that changes everything.
Living in Light of the Resurrection
Because Christ lives, we can face tomorrow with confidence. The resurrection is not just a doctrine; it is the power that sustains us in the work we do every day. It means:
We serve with integrity, knowing that righteousness matters to God.
We seek justice with boldness, because God is restoring all things.
We extend mercy, because we have received mercy from a risen Savior.
We labor with endurance, because our work, done in Christ, is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).
So let us serve with joy, knowing that our King reigns, that death is defeated, and that one day, all things will be made new.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Nathan Newman is the Minister to Members of Congress for Ministry To State.
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