Welcome back to my blog. The last few weeks we have discussed the chronological events of salvation. Although we make salvation efficacious for ourselves by belief in Christ’s death as the punishment for our personal sins, the marvelous story of salvation began before all time and will end with Christ’s final magnificent return.
We have examined the biblical concepts of God’s choosing us and dragging us to salvation alongside the Holy Spirit’s conviction, all which brought us to the point of faith in Christ for our personal salvation. We also have considered what Christ accomplished by his death to allow us to be saved.
Significance of the resurrection
· Regarding Jesus Christ - If Christ did not rise from the dead He cannot be not God, God’s promises were voided, Christ does not have the power of God, He did not ascend to heaven and begin the church, He cannot minister to us now nor will He return to establish eternity and reign in His Kingdom. Consequently, the resurrection is central to who God is and His promises.
· Regarding man - The resurrection is central to our salvation and our identity as Christians. The resurrection is described by a number of concepts in the epistles, the most common of which is spiritual baptism. This is an important biblical truth which is vital in understanding our transformation into Christians at our salvation.
When we become a Christian, we are identified (baptized, Greek, baptizo) with Christ’s gracious death and resurrection. Otherwise, at salvation our old self died and was buried with Christ. We were raised (resurrected) to new life with Him and spiritually we sit with Him on the right hand of God the Father (Romans 6:2-12; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:12-13).
Similar concepts in the epistles that are based on the resurrection are: regeneration (Titus 3:5), born again (John 3:5), a new man (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10), Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), the anointing by the Spirit (1 John 2:20,27), and the seed (1 John 3:9).
· Importantly, the resurrection provides the following:
o Power not to sin – Although every believer sins, we have the ability to resist sin because as a new person in Christ we have the power by the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life. We can say “no” to sin!
o Holiness – Our new life in Christ allows us to be viewed as holy by God so we now have access to Him. (Hebrews 10:19-22). Indeed, without the resurrection and our new life, despite our forgiveness, we would still be dead. This is because without the regeneration (spiritual baptism) resulting from the resurrection, we would still be “in our sins” because of our fallen depraved nature inherited from Adam (1 Corinthians 15:17-19; Ephesians 2:3).
o Prayer - Because we are a new holy person based in Christ’s resurrection we have the freedom to come boldly to God in prayer without hindrance (Hebrews 10:20-23).
o Eternal life – Because of the resurrection we are raised with Christ to new life. We are now holy and we can enter heaven and eternal life when our physical life ends.
o Eternal security – The regeneration helps prove we cannot lose our salvation because scripture does not indicate that our new self can be killed and the old dead self re-resurrected like some bad re-make of the ‘Night of the Living Dead’!
o Able to serve - Since we are resurrected to a new and holy person, and possess the Holy Spirit, we are a new creature that is able to serve God according to His will (Romans 6:11-16). We were not able to do His works prior to becoming a Christian (Romans 3:10-12).
In other words, by the resurrection we are transformed permanently to a new life, identified with Christ and sitting with Him in heaven. These changes cannot be reversed. What a great comfort we have in truth of scripture!
Therefore, as a new person, we are liberated from sin and are free to serve Christ. We cannot be defeated by the misdeeds of our old self nor affected by Adam’s fall (Romans 6:11-23).
What a great salvation we have, which God planned before all time and carried out in his wisdom knowledge love and for his good pleasure (Ephesians 1:4-8). Join me next time as we continue this wonderful journey discussing God’s wonderful plan of salvation.
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Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.
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