Without Resurrection, We’re Dead in Our Sins

Dr. Robert Jeffress

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
—1 Corinthians 15:16–18

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “If Christ has not been raised . . . you are still in your sins.” If Christ is still in that tomb, it means when He died He didn’t die for our sins as He promised; He died for His own sins. You see, the Bible says, “The person who sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:20). The reason we die is because of our sin. And if Jesus remained in that tomb it meant He didn’t pay for our sins; He was paying for his own sins. 

 

That has a logical implication. Paul says if Christ stayed in the tomb, then our loved ones have also perished. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then those who have gone before us—our Christian loved ones—have perished. “Those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (1 Corinthians 15:18).

 

Now, that word “perished” doesn’t just mean dying physically. It means to suffer eternal separation from God. Think about it. If we are still in our sins, if Jesus Christ has not paid for our sins, then every Christian loved one who has preceded you in death that person died in their sins as well. And because of that, right now they are suffering separation from God for all eternity. It means your Christian grandparent, your Christian parent, your Christian mate, your Christian child or grandchild, your Christian friends and loved ones who have died—they are all suffering the eternal torment of hell right now. Do you believe that? 

 

That’s what Paul is saying. If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then you’re still in your sins and so are your loved ones.