The death and resurrection of Christ is a foundational truth upon which our life depends. Every blessing and benefit we receive from God and experience in our lives has its basis in the finished work of Christ. The living waters flow out of the fountainhead of Christ’s victory through the holy cross and the empty tomb. We often talk about the death of Christ but it is equally important that we grasp the fruit of the resurrection of Christ.
Sin is defeated completely
First, Christ’s resurrection confirms that his death was effectually substitutionary. In other words, he suffered death on our behalf and for our sins, so that we can receive his gift of righteousness. If Christ was not raised from the dead, we would remain under the condemnation of our sins. In Romans 4:25, the apostle Paul states that Christ “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification”. Christ’s resurrection secures the effect that Christ’s death was purposed to achieve: the cancellation of the penalty for our sins, and the imputing of his righteousness to us. His resurrection justifies us of all guilt.
After Jesus was crucified, the disciples were in despair and confusion. They were mourning. However, the good news soon arrived, “Jesus is alive”, and they recalled what Jesus had told them about his resurrection. The resurrection gave them great reassurance and faith in the promises of God. It should have the same effect of assuring us that our sins are forgiven and we stand righteous before God.
Powers of a new life
Second, Christ’s resurrection empowers our new life. Paul declares in Colossians 2:12 that “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” In other words, because of our union with Christ, we experienced a spiritual resurrection equivalent to regeneration, the impartation of God’s life that enlivens us spiritually and morally. He states the same thought elsewhere: “even when we were dead in our trespasses, (God) made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved”(Ephesians 2:5). Christ’s resurrection made it possible for the spiritually dead to experience a spiritual resurrection that enables believers to live in “newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
This was my personal experience of a spiritual resurrection. A friend invited me to a Saturday afternoon youth meeting in a terrace house and after the sermon, I went forward to ask Jesus into my life. From then on I attended church regularly and prayed together every night with other youths on fire for Jesus. A period of repentance and cleansing followed and I was also baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit. My heart was bursting with love for God, peace from the forgiveness of sins, and joy from being baptised with the Holy Spirit. My desires and goals were completely changed from self-gratification to wanting to spend time with God in prayer, Bible study and other spiritual things. My family and friends all noticed the changes in my life. I have been made new. It is like my old life passed away and the newness of life has replaced it. Where once I did not know God, I became spiritually alive to his person and presence.
The hope of a future resurrection
Third, our resurrection is guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection. This is a future physical resurrection. If Christ was not raised from the dead, then no one will be raised to life. However, we know from the witnesses in the gospel record that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead. Since this is so, it also proves that God’s promises that the dead in Christ will be raised from the dead to share eternal bliss with God in his new world will be fulfilled in the future. Apostle Peter puts it this way: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”(1 Peter 1:3-5)
Christ’s resurrection gives us a living hope that one day in the future we will receive an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us, a salvation that will be revealed at the end of this age. This gives us an undying, unfading hope. It takes away the fear of death. Death will be put in a coffin and sealed securely for all eternity, unable to harm us ever again.
Prayer
Father in heaven, you raised Jesus from the dead, so that my sins are dealt with and I can have right standing before you. Thank you that the resurrection also meant my new life is powered not by my willpower but by your Spirit. I also put my hope of eternal life in you for just as you raised Jesus from the dead, you will do the same for me at the end of this age. What a comprehensive victory you have made available for me! Amen.
This is part of a planned series of writings on the topic, “The A to Z of Christ’s Finished Work”. I am writing it alphabet by alphabet. Thus far the others that I have written can be found HERE.
