The Resurrection Power
In a moment of absolute hopelessness, the hope of the world burst forth changing the landscape of history forever. Death’s undefeated record was shattered as Christ proclaimed victory over death, Hell, and the grave!
Our hearts and emotions are stirred as we hear statements like this. We may even feel the need to shout. And while we believe it and know it’s true, does this amazing truth really effect my life today, or does it just determine my eternal destination?
While it can be easy to get bogged down by the every day chaos of life—to believe that life is a drudgery that must be endured in order to one day find eternal relief—the resurrection of Jesus Christ redeems not only your eternal soul but your daily life. The Gospel is often compressed into something that pulls us from the grasp of Hell, but let’s not forget that it is also there to pull us from the despair of this present world.
Romans 8 gives us a beautiful look into how God views us as believers and the standing we have in Him. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
As you can see, Jesus came not only to save us but to give us life more abundant. That abundant life is given through the Gospel. The death, burial, and resurrection bring new life, perspective, and hope to an otherwise hopeless existence. In order to tap into the power of the Gospel, we must preach it to ourselves. And in order to preach it to ourselves, we must know it.
We must know that God is for us. We must know that He has called us sons and daughters. We must know that we are not condemned. We must know that He has already delivered us from our sin. We must know that His presence is always with us. We must not only know these things, but we must continue to abide in them and speak them to ourselves.
My wife and I have been married for nearly seventeen years. When we first got married I knew that she liked caramel, could play the piano and grew up in Cincinnati (and a few other facts – haha). However, over the past 17 years, I’ve spent time with her. I have wept with her. I have had fun with her. I have celebrated with her. I’ve gotten to know her on a deep, intimate level. I know how much she loves me, and I know that I would do anything for her.
When we spend time with the God of the universe we feel the same way about Him. He gives us confidence in who we are as His children, and we gain a strong desire to live for Him every day.
Today we celebrate the Resurrection, but tomorrow that same resurrection power should continue to guide our everyday lives.
Today’s Easter Bible Reading Plan: Isaiah 52:7-10 | Matthew 28 | Luke 24