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Article Archive |
2007
He is RISEN!
by Jim Morris
We are approaching the time of year when many people are thinking about Jesus coming to the earth as the Savior. Of course, the coming of Jesus marks the beginning of the Last Days prophesied about in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-21). That is important. However, the true turning point of humanity’s destiny is not found so much in Christ’s coming as the baby Jesus but in the completion of His redemptive work at the cross. It is at the cross that our sins are dealt with eternally and it is at the empty tomb where our hope springs eternal. Jesus is not in the grave. He is RISEN!
Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ holds the key to the destiny of all mankind. It is a sign to unbelievers (Matthew 12:38-40) as well as the assurance for believers who doubt (Luke 24:38-42). It proves that Jesus’ teachings and promises are true (Acts 2:22-24) and serves as the central teaching of the gospel itself (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The resurrection of God’s people to live eternally with Jesus is the “one hope” that drives evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20). It shows that God gives us the power to change so that we can actually live the Christian life (Romans 6:4-14) and please our gracious Creator (Romans 12:1-2). It gives us the powerful reason we need to live fully committed to Jesus (Romans 7:4). It even addresses the victory over our greatest enemy and common fear – “Death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Finally, the resurrection of Jesus gives us a preview of what is in store for us (Philippians 3:20-21). For those who “do not know God or do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 1:7) it will be a fearsome time. Yet, for those who love the Lord it will be a time of unending joy (1 Peter 1:3-6).
Once a ruthless persecutor of the Lord’s church, Paul says to us today, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11). He is RISEN!
12-12-07
# 50
