| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net What was the point of Jesus’ Resurrection? Was God just showing off? Was it to confirm Jesus’ miracles? His teachings? What does it ultimately mean to you? Is there a direct impact? Is one implied? Here are a few things His resurrection wrought for Himself, and for you. The most obvious is the Physical Renewing of His life. Because of this, the believer is assured of two things: Eternal Life; “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (John 11:25), and Spiritual Life; “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20). (See also Ephesians 2:6). Equally obvious is the reunion of His body and Spirit. But us too (if you are Saved) - “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1st Corinthians 15:20-22). Something we pay less attention to is the fact that death is under His control/power - “Oh death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1st Corinthians 15:55). A fourth point that fires me up is that it provided Jesus with a brand new and ultimately important position. He was always God. He was always the Alpha and the Omega. He was always the creator of all (Colo. 1:16-17), but now He is Savior. Wow. He also received a transfigured body. We give this mental assent with regard to Jesus, hope it applies somehow to us (Christians), and think it has nothing to do with the balance of the populous, the un-saved. But if you remember nothing else about this article, get this: “Do not marvel at this for the day is coming when all in their graves will hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29). Everyone will receive a new body. If Jesus is your Lord, one suitable for Heaven, and for the lost, a body suitable for hell. What? A lake of fire? Wouldn’t you just burn up and that’s it? Can you say burning bush? I don’t like scare tactics, so let’s see what Paul says about it. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9). (See also Revelation 20:11-15). Most people if they believe in a resurrection at all, think of it as a Christian up side; extra credit, or some vague prize to be sought after. I tell you the Resurrection is unimaginably wonderful for those “in Christ”, and unimaginably terrible for those who are not. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2nd Corinthians 5:11). God Bless. |
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