by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

The context of our text (1 Cor. 15:19) is the certainty of the resurrection of Christ as the guarantee of eternal life for the believer, yet there is more to be gleaned against the state of this present life or world as presented in our last posting.

If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. 1 Cor. 15:19 (AMPC)

If the only benefit of our hope in Christ is limited to this life on earth, we deserve to be pitied more than all others! 1 Cor. 15:19 (TPT)

These verses admonish us to look beyond these challenges that believers in this world are also facing and will yet face!

ConnectUS simple commentary on this verse states

“The apostles and other Christians were charged with living a righteous life in Jesus, giving up many worldly pleasures that others enjoyed and not joining in social rituals that worship false gods. They were frequently prosecuted. In fact, all of the apostles except for John died an unnatural death. Judas hanged himself, James the son of Zebedee was executed by Herod, Paul was beheaded, Peter was crucified (upside down at his request), Andrew was crucified, Thomas was speared to death, Matthew was stabbed to death (though some contend he was not martyred), James was stoned then clubbed, Matthais (chosen to replace Judas) was burned. It is unclear what type of unnatural death Philip, Bartholomew, Simon the Zealot suffered.

There were several mass persecutions of Christians in the 300 years after Jesus’s death, where Christians were covered in stiff wax and set on fire, put in skins of animals and fed to dogs, beheaded, boiled and crucified. They were blamed for natural disasters and killed. They were mocked and killed for the entertainment of the rulers. They were killed because Christianity was spreading across the Roman empire with beliefs contrary to the Roman worship of Roman gods.

Christians today are called to live their lives according to Scripture and stay away from sinful worldly temptations. Some say, at the time of this writing, that Christian persecution is the highest in modern history with 11 Christians killed each day in 50 countries on the “World Watch List” simply because they are Christians.”

Soon enough, this latter reality will hit home when the people in our land start blaming believers for the woes and troubles of the nation. Ahead of this and in preparation, let us be fully persuaded of the truth revealed here in Psalms 46 (TPT)

God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble—more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earthquakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you.

God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places. God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice, and the earth begins to disintegrate before him. Here he comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!

Everyone look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God. For he brings both ruin and revival. He’s the one who makes conflicts end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon of war. Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!

As one who has been grafted into the commonwealth of Israel, do you believe this declaration in Psalm 46? Selah.