19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:19
Paul explicitly says that we have hope not only in this life, with our needs being met, or maybe every now and then God will throw in a little bonus, and we will receive something that we strongly desire, but we also have the Great Hope of living in eternity with Him. For all though we die, we will live again. Although we, or one of our loved ones, may close our eyes to what seems like eternal sleep, it is not forever, because we have hope not only in Jesus for this life alone but also for the life to come. The early believers referred to it as the Blessed Hope.
That is what Paul was endeavoring to get the Corinthian believers to understand. If we hope only in this life, that is futile; it’s pointless. For what will it profit us to work and labor at something that is perishing? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then everything that we’ve slaved for will also perish the moment we die. Or at best, our heirs will inherit. But Paul is saying, “No, we have a greater hope than that. Our hope is in Christ, the giver of life. Therefore, death will not break the bond, nor will it cancel our hope in Him. He will resurrect the dead. In other words, He will raise to life all those who have died knowing Him as LORD and Savior, and they will receive the crown of life that gives them the privilege of living forever with Jesus.
Therefore, know that your labors are not in vain in the LORD. He is coming back for the living and the dead who have accepted His free gift of salvation. So, rest in the assurance that we have more than a mere hope in this life alone, but also in the life to come. Otherwise, we would be people most to be pitied.
Heavenly Father, please increase our faith. Be our stronghold, and our mighty tower. Create in us a heart to worship and a mind to seek first the kingdom of heaven. Be our strength and our shield now, LORD. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.