The Glorious
Hope!
Many have no hope beyond this short-lived life. And many have become so hopeless
that they are not really living but existing!So the resurrection brings
us a new hope-the glorious hope! Let's see what it means to us in
our practical day-to-day living.
Many fond memories come to mind at this time of the year when many
people all over the world are celebrating the so-called Easter with
so much of tradition and ceremony. But for the true believer in the
Bible, the most important experience is the glory of the resurrection.
What is there for the common man in this event? There's a lot! Yes,
the glorious hope!
1. The fact of resurrection is the
basis for the good news of salvation for mankind:
As per Paul in 1Corinthians 15:3, the fact of Jesus' death, burial
and resurrection are the foundation of our faith to save us from our
sins! That's good news! There is no gospel at all if the Lord was
not risen! The resurrection forms an integral part of the good news.
Only His death is not sufficient. He needs to rise to make the gospel
powerful to save those who believe.
2. The reality of resurrection makes
our faith real and living: It is in vain to believe
in a Savior if He is still in the grave (1 Cor. 15:16). But, praise
God, we have a risen and living Lord upon whom our faith rests. So
our faith is made real and meaningful because the Lord Jesus is risen
from the dead. All those who are born into this world die. And it
finished with them. But not so with the Lord Jesus! He began a new
way again- the way to Eternal Life.
3. The reality of Jesus' resurrection
makes the future resurrection of all a possible reality :
according to what the great apostle Paul clarifies and defends in
1Corinthians 15: 12-23, all those who believe in Christ, they will
rise from the dead one day. Even those who do not believe, though,
to face judgement. The basis for this hope is the resurrection of
Christ Himself. He is the firstfruits of all those who died. So the
death is no longer the end of everything. But it is the gateway to
a better and glorious world beyond the grave. It is this assurance
that enables believers find comfort and peace in the departure of
the dear ones. 1Thess.4: 13-18. Oh! What a glorious hope that we all
can live again in glorious bodies and never see pain, suffering, or
death again! We can know this for certain because the Lord rose in
glorious body and ascended to heaven.
4. The reality of resurrection is
the power behind transformed lives:
There is no power on earth to change a person like
Paul who was such a cruel, vicious, violent and fanatical man before
he met Christ. His life was totally transformed by his encounter with
the living Savior ( 1cor. 15: 8). What was the power that brought
about this miraculous change and moulded such a man into the greatest
of apostles of all times? The power of resurrection! That's what Paul
earnestly desired to know and experience in Philippians 3:10, 11.
Now, what is your hope? Do you have this glorious hope? Why not possess
it now? It is available to all freely today. You can know and experience
the power of resurrection in your own life if you commit your life
to follow the Lord who died and rose again to give this glorious hope.
It is possible for you to experience a miraculous transformation into
a new person, as you trust in the living Savior to change you and
give you a life worth living! HE IS
ABLE BECAUSE HE IS ALIVE!
Be encouraged.
*************************Letter # 14 (20. 4. 2003)****************
