There is an old question that has been floating around for a long time, and that question is “What If?”.  This question has been asked many times for many different reasons, and sometimes there is no real answer to it.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that this question was on the mind of the apostle Paul as it related to the resurrection of Jesus.  Paul discusses this question at length in I Corinthians 15.  He clearly says “If Christ be not risen, then is your preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”  The gospel accounts tell us that after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to a number of individuals as well as to over 500 people at one time.  Paul makes the point that if Christ had not risen, then his preaching about the resurrection would have been false. 

        Paul says that far worse than his preaching being in vain is the fact that if Christ had not risen from the dead, our faith would also be in vain, and we would still be in our sins.  The forgiveness of our sins depends not only on the death of Jesus on the Cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world, but it also depends on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  The resurrection gives us victory over sin and death, as Paul also says in this same chapter.

        Paul makes the important point that the resurrection of Jesus directly affects our future, especially our eternal destiny.  He speaks there about a mystery which he chose to reveal to his readers.  He tells them that one day a trumpet will sound, and in the twinkling of an eye, the faithful followers of Jesus will also be raised from the dead.  He says that they will be changed from being corruptible to being incorruptible, and he means by this that they will exchange their mortal bodies for ones that are immortal.  Of course, he is speaking of the great event which we call the Rapture, when believers will be raised with a new body.  That new body will be just like what Paul calls the glorious body of Jesus, the one He took on after His own resurrection.

        But that raises one more important “What if?” question that all people need to answer sooner or later in their own lives today.  “What if?” we have chosen not to be a follower of Jesus.  The answer is that we will not be included in the Rapture, and we will be left behind on the earth when all the followers of Jesus are on their way to heaven.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.