It’s springtime 2006—what a wonderful time of year! We are about to celebrate the world’s most important miracle, the most glorious event in the history of mankind, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Happy Easter to you! The resurrection makes possible the great reality of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Christianity is the inner presence of our living Lord.

There are a lot of people who believe that God is basically against us, that He is a sadist, and that He wants to inflict pain upon people. After all, we see war and suffering and sickness and poverty and painful difficulties in most of our lives. As a result, many people have been tempted to misinterpret God and say things about Him that are not true.

First of all, the resurrection means that you and I are forgiven of all of our sins. The Apostle Paul speaks most pointedly of this when he says that Jesus Christ “was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Did our dear Savior simply die as the hopeless martyr for a lost cause? The answer is “no,” He is our glorious Savior. He triumphed over sin on Calvary’s cross and we have evidence of this—the resurrection.

Having been justified by His blood, we are confident of eternal salvation because Christ was raised again “because of” our justification. Christ declares all who believe in the finished work of the cross to be perfectly righteous. The proof of this is the resurrection. How marvelous is imputed righteousness!

In the resurrection of Christ there is a new life to live. Speaking about His post-resurrection life, Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19). Make no mistake about it, Christianity is a faith to believe, but it is also a life to live. The life of God in the lives of men is what Christ promised, and the proof of the validity of that promise was His own resurrection. The empty tomb proves it all!

In the resurrection of Christ there is power for all occasions. Stating the great remaining ambition of his life, the Apostle Paul said, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3:10). Thus the Bible teaches that Christ takes up His residence within us. The Apostle Paul declares that His presence produces power, authority, capability, overcoming strength within us to live a life that is equal to every occasion. The Christian should be a vibrantly alive person indeed!

Therefore, as we celebrate the Easter season once again, we must remember that the resurrection of our dear Savior—the Lord Jesus has awesome consequences in the life of all of us who believe. In these present hours, Christ is our enabling capability for all occasions.

As we celebrate this Easter season, let us also consider the millions of our world who do not know the forgiveness and presence of Christ in their lives. We must pray that there will once again be that overwhelming curiosity on the part of the lost to know the Lord Jesus and His life within. Having prayed, let us do what we can in order that others will be brought to the place where they will believe on Jesus Christ and have everlasting life.

Remember that the resurrection is a part of the Gospel. The whole Gospel is the marvelous announcement that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Cor.15:3,4).

Think of it, any person who believes that Jesus died on the cross for his sins as the Son of God and rose again, that person is given the marvelous gift of everlasting life. God offers this gift to all!

From the writings of Dave Breese

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Destiny Bulletin continued:
The Ultimate Contrast • Springtime • Where Sin Abounded
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