by telling us that if “ . . . we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him.” What a cause for rejoicing! The bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is credible and valid, and as sures the believer of eternity in the presence of God. The blessings, so typi cal of our wonderful God, do not stop here. On the basis of His resurrection the Christian finds a greater challenge which comes from Paul’s letter to the Colossian Church, “ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1, 2). This is a corner stone of appeal for dedicated living. Then, because of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Christian has an entirely new attitude toward physi cal death. With Paul we can stand in glorious triumph as we look into that wonderful event of the future and lit erally sing, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (I Cor. 15:55). No longer need we fear that which ushers us into a new and greater life — a life unceasing in the presence of that One who died and rose again for us. Death is not, therefore, to the Christian what it has often been called, “ Paying the debt of nature.” — no, it is as if we are bringing a note to the bank to obtain solid gold in exchange for it. You bring a cumbrous body which is worth nothing; you lay it down and receive for it, from the source of eter nal life, a glorified body as a treasure with liberty, and victory over the mor tality you once knew. All this because He arose!
Hallelujah! Such proclamation and proof became the stimulating power and growth among the early Christians as it does today. Beyond this it is difficult to escape the marvelous results of this outstand ing event. The resurrection demon strated to all mankind that the re demptive purpose of God was now com pleted, and the resurrection was God’s stamp of approval on the sacrificial work of the Lord Christ. The penalty of sin was now exhausted and hu manity, in Him, was justified. Clearly the words of Paul resound in our ears, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” Again the resurrection has a signi ficant place in our faith for it shows, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Christ is Lord of all, consequently it gives sufficient and eternal proof of Christianity itself. “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord . . . declared to be the Son of God with power, accord ing to the spirit of holiness, by the res urrection from the dead.” Here is proof positive that the First-fruit of the res urrection was truly the Son of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords. Christ’s rising furnished the ground and pledge of our own resurrection. Because He rose, we, too, shall rise. Paul carefully assures us of this in stating that “ . . . is now made mani fest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Tim. 1:10). Again he encourages our hearts
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