“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” ~Romans 4:25
We are saved in, by, and through the resurrection of Christ. We would not be justified or forgiven if it weren’t for Jesus’ resurrection.
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and you are still in your sins.” ~1 Corinthians 15:17
Your perfection, your righteousness, your holiness is in Christ Jesus. If he’s still dead… well… that puts your salvation in question. The resurrection, though, certifies that the bill’s been paid in full. Our sin is taken care of forever. Your sins are taken care of. All your sins are forgiven.
How many of your sins were future sins when Jesus went to the cross? That’s not a trick question. When Jesus died for you, how many of your sins were future sins? All of them! One hundred percent of them! Jesus knew exactly what he was doing when he went to the cross. You haven’t surprised him. Jesus doesn’t want a do-over. He knew.
So please get off your self-hate.
“I can’t be a part of the body of Christ, I’m too bad. I can’t ever really be forgiven, I’ve done too much. Christ could never really accept me, it’s been too long.” Get over it! He already knew! And he went. It’s paid for. You don’t owe anything. The altar is closed. There’s no sacrifice you need to lay down. He is risen. And because you are raised with him and transformed by him, you are vindicated and justified and saved. It is finished! It’s done!
Because he lives.
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
And I don’t know your tomorrow. I don’t know what’s on the horizon for you. But because Jesus is alive, your fears about tomorrow should be gone. Why? Because he has us! He’s alive! We have no enemies! Death is dead, sin is vanquished, we’ve already won!
In Revelation 3, the resurrected Jesus is encouraging his Church. Our Lord Jesus, in his physical, resurrected body is talking to his people when he says, “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock.” He continues to extend the invitation. He is risen and he is still calling.
“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”
…not with a long list of things you need to do better; not with a critique of how you’ve lived so far; not with a list of dos and don’ts.
“I will come in and eat with you and you with me.”
I will accept you. I will fellowship you. We’ll eat together.
It doesn’t have to be the way it is. You have not out-sinned his grace or his power. Christ Jesus, our Lord, is risen from the dead and he calls you to be raised with him and to enjoy the salvation of your body and soul.
Peace,
Allan
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