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Print version: TWR-SA article of 10-9-2010
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Print version: TWR-SA article of 10-9-2010 |
The gospels contain abundant testimony to the resurrection of Christ (see Matt. 28; Mark 16; Luke 24 and John 20). In addition to these detailed narratives in the four gospels, the book of Acts is the account of the apostles’ proclamation of the resurrection of Christ and of continued prayer to Christ and trust in Him as the One Who is alive and reigning in heaven. The epistles depend entirely on the assumption that Jesus is the living, reigning Saviour Who is now the exalted Head of the church. The book of Revelation repeatedly shows the risen Christ reigning in heaven and predicts His return to conquer His enemies and reign in glory. Thus the entire New Testament bears witness to the resurrection of Christ!
After a long discussion of the resurrection, Paul concludes by encouraging his readers, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
1. The resurrection has application to our obedience to God in this life
It is because Christ was raised from the dead, and we too shall be raised from the dead, that we should continue steadfastly in the Lord’s work. This is because everything that we do to bring people into the Kingdom and build them up will indeed have eternal significance, because we shall all be raised on the day when Christ returns, and we shall live with Him forever.
2. The resurrection helps us focus on our future heavenly reward as our goal.
Paul sees the resurrection as a time when all the struggles of this life will be repaid. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:17-19). Because Christ has been raised, however, and because we have been raised with Him, we are to seek for a heavenly reward and set our minds on things of heaven:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
3. The resurrection brings an obligation to not yield to sin in our lives.
When Paul says we are to consider ourselves “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” by virtue of the resurrection of Christ and His resurrection power within us (Rom. 6:11), he then goes on immediately to say, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies … Do not yield your members to sin” (Rom. 6:12-13). The fact that we have this new resurrection power over the domination of sin in our lives is used by Paul as a reason to exhort us not to sin anymore.
(Taken from Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, )
I will boldly seek some new ways to serve the Lord, obey Him and reach out to others, because my work for the Lord is not in vain.
I have His resurrection power working in me to do what He wants me to do!
I am seated with Him in heavenly places and this knowledge should impact my thought and prayer life tremendously.
My only desire is to please Him now and not yield to sin in my mortal body.
I am looking forward to a new body, reward from Jesus and eternal life in the presence of God!
Danie du Preez – February, 2008 |
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