HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17

If Jesus has not risen — then the lessons of my mind will never be learned — the blessed lessons of heavenly truth and wisdom which He has commenced to teach me by His gospel and by His enlightening Spirit. My discipleship will fail to have its proper ending and its due reward. It will have awakened hopes that it does not fulfil.

If Jesus has not risen — then the progress of my life will never be finished — the happy progress in love and purity which began when He renewed me first. The snow-white mountains of holiness, to whose gleaming summits I had steadfastly set my face — will not be scaled by my feet.

If Jesus has not risen — then the work of my hands will never be completed — the free and joyful service I have been seeking in His strength to render Him. It will have no adequate harvest. It will reach no fitting goal. It will be broken off midway, and He and I and those for whom I labour, will be cheated of its fruits.

If Jesus has not risen — then the friendships of my heart will be shattered — friendships with those who trusted Him and who have gone from my side; friendship with Himself, my Dearest and my Best friend. In the grave, this kith and kin of my soul will be buried, and the sceptical poet will be right — my love for them and theirs for me will have withered.

If Jesus has not risen — then the God of my trust will have deceived me.

But there let me stop. I cannot bear to go further with the cheerless supposition. And there is no need. For Jesus has risen, and all is well with me, His little one, now and through the everlasting years.