In my last article I shared some major evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now we want to consider some of the practical implications of the resurrection. The New Testament is clear that if you truly believe in the resurrection of Jesus, it should radically change your life!
Here are three implications of the resurrection:
Justification: Since Jesus really did rise from the dead, we can have confidence that the gospel is true and that we are no longer in our sins if we have trusted in Christ as our Savior (Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:2, 17). We are declared righteous by God!
Sanctification: Since Jesus rose from the grave, believers have the ability to no longer cave to temptation but live righteously for God (Romans 6:5-11). We also know that the same all-powerful God who rose Jesus from the dead has the power to equip us to do everything good and accomplish his will (Hebrews 13:20-21). We are made righteous by God!
Glorification: Since Jesus rose from the dead and has a real glorified physical body, we can be sure that we will be raised from the dead and enjoy the presence of God in the new creation with glorified physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Paul wrote, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). We will be resurrected and transformed by God!
If Jesus truly rose from the dead, it should change our outlook and our behavior. Because of the resurrection we can have confidence in the gospel, purpose in this present life, and hope for the future. Trust in Jesus as your Savior if you haven’t. Keep living for him, if you have. If Jesus is alive, we should be living for Him.
As the Apostle Paul declared,
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:54-58).
Looking forward to our future resurrection as believers means we can and must live faithfully and joyfully for Jesus in the present, knowing there is hope beyond the grave!