31 March 2024
OUR HOPE IN THE RISEN CHRIST
(Going Forward in Christ: GFIC 13)
The Resurrection of Christ is the capstone of Christianity. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then we believers will be the most to be pitied, says the Apostle Paul. Why? Because we will still be in our sins and be condemned eternally. But praise God Christ did rise from the dead says the Word of God and proven as a fact in history. Most important of all, it is proven by our experience of sins forgiven and a new life. As the lyrics of the hymn say, “You ask me how I know He lives – He lives within my heart”!
Doctrinally, the death and resurrection of Christ seals our salvation and hope of Heaven because we believe in Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Romans 4:24-25: “For us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in Him Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (NIV).
1 Thess.4:14: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him” (NIV).
Christ’s Resurrection also strengthens our faith and assures us of His ability to help us in our life and commitment to Him as His disciples. When Christ was raised from the dead by the Father, it means that the following Truths will benefit us:
1. He is Exalted as the LORD of Lords (Phil.2:9-11).
He now has Authority both in Heaven and earth (Matt.28:18) and is therefore in control of the whole Universe. His Name is above all other names and everything in this world is subjected to His Lordship. Every knee must bow to Him and His Name. That means in Christ we have complete victory over all the powers of darkness and every situation in life if we have faith and exercise the authority He has given us in His Name (Luke 10:19). That is why the Bible says that “we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us” (Rom.8:37).
2. He is our Intercessor in Heaven (Rom.8:33-35).
The devil is called “the accuser of the brethren” (Rev.12:10) and he accuses us before God to condemn us. He tried to do that with Joshua the High Priest (Zech. 3) but the Lord rebuked him. The Apostle John tells us that Christ is our Advocate Who will defend us in Heaven (1 John 2:1-2). When we confess our sins, Jesus pleads on our behalf before the Father so that we may be forgiven. Because He lives, He can do that, as the Bible assures us: “He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Heb.7:25). Jesus also told Peter that He had prayed for him so that he will not fall and lose faith (Luke 22:31-32). Let us be thankful and praise the Lord for His intercessory ministry for the saints. He is our Advocate before the Father pleading on our behalf when we Repent and confess our sins. Praise be to God!
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