5 Things Christ’s Resurrection Gives to Believers
Yesterday we spent some time as a family reading and discussing the scriptures from The Power of the Resurrection collection.
My heart is always blessed to read and think about Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. But this sacrifice would mean nothing if it weren't for the victory over sin and death that he proved through his resurrection.
As I thought about the sequence of the scriptures, I identified 5 major things that Christ's resurrection provides for the believer.
1. Deliverance from the penalty of sin
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21Â For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22Â For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Corinthians 15:19-22)
2. Hope of eternal life
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26Â And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26)
3. Freedom from sin's power over us because Christ, who conquered sin, now lives in us
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Â Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10Â For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Â Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:8-11)
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4. Security that once made alive with Christ we can never be condemned
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 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. (Romans 8:31-34)
5. Comfort that we will spend eternity with the Lord along with our believing loved ones who have died before us
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
There is so much to ponder and be grateful for when we consider Christ's resurrection! Easter time means so much more than a special service or new clothes. It's about the abundant, new life that is provided through The Power of the Resurrection! (Click here for the entire collection of resurrection verses.)