Why be a Christian?

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

About a year ago, someone posed a question for me. He asked “why should I be a Christian and not a follower of another religion, like Hinduism or Buddhism?”

That’s a tough question. He provided the answer by saying “Christianity is true.”

Christianity is true. How can we be sure of that?

There is one event in human history which proves the Christianity is true. It is the resurrection of Jesus.

Surprisingly to some, there is a lot of physical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. For instance, where’s the body? We’ve had two thousand years almost to find the body of Jesus and it has never showed up.

Also the disciples and apostles were willing to die for their faith. It’s one thing to be willing to die because you believe a lie, it’s a whole different thing to die because you created a lie. Yet the disciples and apostles were willing to die, rather than give up their faith in Jesus.

The only explanation is that they saw the resurrected Lord. So Jesus really rose from the dead. Paul picks up this thought in first Corinthians chapter 15.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

He says The resurrection of Jesus proves that Christianity is true. But it proves much more.

  • It proves that he is the Son of God.
  • It proves that he is the Savior. That God has accepted his life and death for sinful mankind, but it proves something much more personal.

Jesus’ resurrection proves that Jesus is your Savior. That he lived for you. That he died for you. That he rose again for you and one day he will raise you up and take you to be with him in heaven.

So why should you be a Christian? Because it’s true. It’s true that Jesus is your Savior. And his resurrection proves it. Amen.

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Timothy Hartwig
Timothy Hartwig

Tim Hartwig is currently serving as President of the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary.

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