Good morning, my brothers! What if the resurrection changes more than your eternity? What if it gives you a hope today that nothing in this world can take away? Interested? Let’s go! A 64-second read.
Listen to the audio version here:
As I've been studying Acts for my Friday morning men's study at church, I'm amazed at the difference in the early disciples once the Holy Spirit fills them.
And I'm just as amazed at the focus of their bold teaching, guided by the Spirit. Not just Christ. The risen Christ.
They knew the resurrection changed everything. Paul tells us why:
…regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
That's the Father's verdict on His Son. Jesus wasn't a great teacher whose ideas outlived Him. He's the risen Son of God, and the empty tomb is how the Father proclaimed it.
And this truth should change how we live, dramatically.
Because He's alive, our hope is alive
Peter calls it a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Not a hope that rises and falls with how today went. Our hope holds because Jesus is alive.
This isn't our final address
Paul says our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Eternity with the Father is home. Not here. We're just passing through.
That doesn't make this life unimportant. It makes it possible to live here without asking this life to give us what only God can provide.
And His Spirit is already in us
Not a strength we go hunting for when things get hard. Paul says the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in us right now (Romans 8:11).
So we can lose things here without losing everything.
Our health will change. Some of our plans won't survive. But none of that touches the resurrection.
Jesus is alive.
Our sins are forgiven.
Our future is secure.
Our home is with Him.
And His Spirit lives in us today.
Brother, that's why resurrection hope isn't the same thing as optimism.
Optimism says, “I think things will get better.”
Resurrection hope says, “Even if they don't, Jesus is still alive, and I still belong to Him.”
Reflect
What are you hoping in that can't deliver?
Do you live like the Spirit who raised Jesus is in you, or like He's a number you call when things get bad?
How will your life look different if you embrace heaven as your true home?
Act
What has God asked you to do that you set aside as too hard? Name it today, and take one step toward it before the day is over. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, and He finishes what He starts.
Pray
Father, You raised Your Son and called Him the Son of God in power. I've been holding on to things that were never able to hold me. Loosen my grip. Let my hope rest where nobody can reach it, and give me courage to start what You've asked. Amen.
-Will
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