Have you heard? Christ is risen! And with that everything has changed. Truly. Resurrection life is not business like usual. Jesus really died on the cross for our sins and he was buried like said but on the third day he was risen. But that’s not all, folks! Jesus was risen but sin stayed in the tomb. Christ conquered all the evil forces.

Easter really isn’t “just” about being exited that our friend Jesus lives. God did not “just” rose his only son. He also won victory over death and darkness. That’s why Jesus is only the first one resurrected. All who believes in Jesus will be risen at the end too.

Death does not have the final word. 
God does.

And that makes us jubilant. When we’ve been made right with God, we are on the Victor’s side. We don’t need to be afraid of anything. God is with us, for us, and in us.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He’s the first crop of the harvest of those who have died. Since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came through one too. In the same way that everyone dies in Adam, so also everyone will be given life in Christ. (1 Cor. 15:20-22, CEB, emphasis added)

Resurrection life means that everyone will be given life in Christ. How wonderful is that? How does this resurrection life look then? Romans 7:4 helps us to figure this out.

You are united with the one who was raised from the dead so that we can bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4, CEB, emphasis added)

Resurrection life is a fruitful way of life. Being alive in Christ does not mean new rules and regulations. But it means we live our lives with Jesus, to Jesus, in Jesus. When we are focused on Christ and not on ourselves, new things start happening. When we live for Christ and not for ourselves, we will find ourselves in the process of serving Him. When we abide in Jesus, spiritual fruits stars appearing in our lives. Not because of us. But because resurrection power is in action in our lives.

We are indeed called to put our faith in practice. If we believe in the resurrection of Christ, we need to act like it. We are no longer slaves to sin. Why would we continue to live like that? There’s a new power at work. And resurrection power is much more than pardon. It’s also power to live like an heir of God.

 

Gracious God,
Be praised forever and ever!
You let Jesus die for our sins!
You rose Jesus from death!
Alleluia!
We are in awe, Lord!
Thank you so much for adopting us.
Thank you for this resurrection life.
Fill us with your grace and power.
Live in and through us!
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen

Q4U: How does resurrection life look to you?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace God and what he is doing in your life!

Image design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Small Wonders, and#InspireMeMonday.