The Risen Christ

... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. - Romans 1:3-4.

Jesus has risen! Hallelujah! His rising up from the dead is what gives us hope of all that we believe is true. 1 Peter 1:3 says, "By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." His rising up from the dead proves that indeed He is God and that our belief in Him offers us salvation.

Can you imagine what it would have been like if Jesus never rose from the dead? What defeated and frustrated lives we would be living now! 1 Corinthians 15 describes what some of the results would be.

1) Our faith would be in vain (it would be mere delusion, futile and fruitless, devoid of truth, empty, imaginary and unfounded. (v.14,14)
2) All our preaching would be in vain (Everything we would ever have to say would amount to nothing v.14)
3) We ourselves would have no guarantee of resurrection. (v. 12-13, 20-23)
4) we would still be under the control of sin and would have to make animal sacrifices to pay for it (v 17).
5) All those who have lived trusting in Him and His power would perish (v.18).
6) We would have hope only in this life which would be very sad (v.19).
7) We would be vainly risking our lives for the Lord (v.30-32).
8) All the promises would be in vain (v.50-54).
9) Prophecies of death being swallowed up would be false (v.55-56).

But glory be to God! Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. The grave could not keep Him because of His sinless, pure life. Death would not have its sting upon Him and hold Him down. Because He is risen. He has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. When Jesus comes in the twinkling of an eye at the rapture, all those who are dead in Christ will rise again. Will you be counted among those who will rise again? It is only by the repentance of all your sins and belief in the saving power of the Lord Jesus, that you will be saved. Hebrews 7:25 says, "He is able to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene fro them."

The resurrection power of the Lord is available to you in Christ Jesus, so that you will be able to live a victorious life with the power and authority that He has won for you.

- Daniel O.C