RESURRECTION SUNDAY

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very heart of Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul reasons: "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.. We are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead." In that same chapter he says "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen sleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." But then Paul triumphantly declares, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:14-20).

Until we finalize the cross, we will never be ready to experience the reality of the resurrection. What do I mean by that? The Bible says that: "The wages of sin is death..." This tells me that we had two problems - sin and death. We needed something or someone to take away our sins and to give us life. Jesus Christ's death on the cross and the shedding of His blood took away our sins ETERNALLY, paving the way for His resurrection which enables us to get ETERNAL LIFE. Without the resurrection we are to be pitied of all men and are still in our sins. But thank God Jesus was raised from the grave. As important as Jesus' death on the cross is, it would have meant nothing if He was not resurrected.

My prayer for all of us on this Resurrection Sunday is that as we sing, "He Is Risen", let it mean something to us. Let it not just be words, let the words sink in and change us from inside out. As I wrote in my book, Back To The Basics Of Christianity, Resurrection Sunday (Easter) comes with at least four gifts:

-         New relationship with God;

-         New purpose in life - we are branches He is the vine;

-         Power over passions; and

-         Certainty of eternal life with God.

The Christian life is faith expressing itself through love. Faith in Jesus Christ and what He did expressed in love for all of mankind. As we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday, especially for those who are in Christ, let us continue to put our faith in Him and not in ourselves. He did it all for us and the only way we can express our appreciation and gratitude for what He did is in loving one another.

For those who have not accepted the meaning of what Jesus Christ did for them, I encourage you to look deep into your soul and come to Christ. He is The way to the Father and the only truth about the Father. More so, He is the Life without which you we all are spiritually dead.

Happy Resurrection Sunday (Easter) to each and everyone of you. May the love of God and the fellowship of our Savior Jesus Christ be with us all. He Is Risen...

Amen.