This post is part of the the resurrection series (click to view the other posts in this series).

I started this series discussing the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This Christian belief is founded in the truth of the New Testament documents. It is a simple belief – that Jesus died, was buried, was raised on the third day, and then appeared to many (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) – yet, even though it isn't complex, believing it is very difficult for so many.

In the next post, I covered the theology of the resurrection, answering the question, “What did Christ accomplish in the resurrection?” Of first importance is that the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. If the resurrection didn't happen, then Christianity falls. I also listed several things, both in general and specific to our union with Christ, that Jesus accomplished in the resurrection.

After that, I spent several posts discussing the historical evidence for the resurrection (i.e., evidential apologetics). We looked at the witnesses to the resurrection, the four main responses to the resurrection that have now become dead ends, and the most popular anti-resurrection view today – the legend theory. Hopefully the evidence presented in these posts helped clear out some obstacles of misunderstanding, bad history, bad logic, and possibly even some willful deception. What one does with the evidence, though, is up to them and their presuppositions.

And so now, to close this series on the resurrection, I'm going to share four resurrection implications for the Christian life. To be sure, there are many more than four, but these four are primary implications which have been discussed by Sam Allberry in his recently published book, Lifted: Experiencing the Resurrection Life.

Assurance

First, the resurrection gives us assurance of who Jesus is and what he has done. Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). The resurrection shows that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be. The Son of God. The Messiah.

By Jesus' resurrection, we also have assurance that he was victorious over sin and death. Christ took our sin upon himself in death was raised for our justification (Romans 4:24-25). Those that are in Christ have been forgiven of their sins and are now clothed in his righteousness, so that they will be delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Christ accomplished exactly what God sent him to accomplish.

Transformation

Second, the resurrection transforms. It regenerates. It gives new life, and that new life bears spiritual fruit. It means that we who believe will begin to look at life with a new perspective. Our own selfishness will start to lose its stranglehold on our lives, and instead we will begin to live for God and for others because of the power of the Holy Spirit that now lives in us (Romans 8:9-11). This new perspective is a heavenly one focused on eternal things instead of worldly things.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)

Hope

Third, the resurrection gives hope. Now, this is not a hope for something that might happen, but it is a hope that looks forward to something that will to happen. Our hope does not rest in ourselves but in an event that has already occurred and an event that will occur. Our hope is founded in the resurrection of Jesus and it looks forward to our own resurrection on the last day. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says that Christ's resurrection is the firstfruits of the future resurrection to come. Those that are in union with Christ will share in his resurrection.

Additionally, the resurrection gives hope that all of creation will be restored. We are to live lives of holiness and godliness, because “according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). A new heavens and earth has been promised for which we can hope because God's plan of redemption was made complete in Christ's resurrection.

Mission

Finally, the resurrection is both the reason for and the power behind our mission. Christ has been exalted by God in the resurrection and is now seated at God's right hand (Ephesians 1:19-23). Because of this, Jesus is Lord and is to be worshipped. And when Jesus is worshipped, honored, and exalted by us, God is also worshipped, honored, and exalted.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave us our mission in the world. This mission is to be witnesses to the world, creating disciples, baptizing them and teaching them what Jesus commanded. Essentially, our mission is to share Christ in all facets so that more and more will worship and glorify him.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

I pray that this series has been as helpful to you reading it as it has been to me writing it. May the resurrection be ever greater in your soul as you believe in it, rest in it, and are lifted by it.

 

This post is part of the the resurrection series (click to view the other posts in this series).