“20But now [as things really are] Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, [and He became] the first fruits [that is, the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body, foreshadowing the resurrection] of those who have fallen asleep [in death].” 1 Corinthians 15:20 AMP

“Not only forgiven but risen!” This is the mantra of the believer! From the moment that Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin and death has reigned in this mortal flesh. We are told by the writer of Hebrews of the fate of our flesh.

 “And just as it is appointed and destined for all men to die once and after this [comes certain] judgment, 28so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] the sins of many, will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 AMP

This temporal container is destined to go back to the dust from which it came. The hope of this life is the new bodies that we shall receive that will never be tainted by the ways of sin! DO you see it? When He returns it isn’t to deal with our sin for that was dealt with by His death. We are “eagerly and confidently waiting” for the promise of the resurrection! Jesus told us that He is the source of resurrection life!

“Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give to You.” 23Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise [from the dead].” 24Martha replied, “I know that he will rise [from the dead] in the resurrection on the last day.”25Jesus said to her, “[d]I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies; 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25 AMP

“Do you believe this?” Let me ask you, “Is it enough that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of Life?” Just as sin was let into the stream of humanity by one man, Adam, resurrection life was given to humanity by one man, Jesus Christ!

“For since [it was] by a man that death came [into the world], it is also by a Man that the resurrection of the dead has come.” 1 Corinthians 15:21 AMP

I have often said that salvation isn’t for now, it is for the moment that this body gives up its spirit and we find ourselves in the realm of eternity! While we remember the terrible price He paid to ransom us from the enemy, we must never forget to celebrate the resurrection. We know that death has now been defeated since the book of Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death. If the sacrifice Christ made on the cross was not enough, He would still be in the grave! The resurrection is the testimony of the enemy’s defeat and the key to our new life!

“Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3 AMP

We no longer need fear of death as a final stop of this corporal existence! Remember that the enemy’s power over us through death has been removed!

“Therefore, since [these His] children share in flesh and blood [the physical nature of mankind], He Himself in a similar manner also shared in the same [physical nature, but without sin], so that through [experiencing] death He might make powerless (ineffective, impotent) him who had the power of death–that is, the devil– 15and [that He] might free all those who through [the haunting] fear of death were held in slavery throughout their lives” Hebrews 2:14-15 AMP

As Christmas is rapidly approaching, let us remember that we not only celebrate the gift of God’s Son but also the gift of new life that He brought! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken