I LIVE BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES

“And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” – 1 Corinthians 15:4

The Reality of Resurrection Sunday is that I LIVE BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES. Paul wrote: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1Cor.15:3-4, 22). The crucifixion and death of Jesus were not chance events, but key aspects of God’s Plan of Redemption: “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Mt.16:21).

On Sunday morning, the darkness gave way to the dawning of a new day and with it new hope and new life. Darkness and despair bowed to Jubilant Celebration. Death was defeated and Jesus opened the way to eternal life in Him. Life swallowed up death in Victory! Sin, the sting of death was conquered. Christ met the full demands of the law – the strength of sin – and secured the Victory (1Cor.15:56-57). Sin and death can no longer have their way with us. By His resurrection, our Saviour “has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Tim.1:10). 

Here are the facts. Since Christ was raised, He cannot die again: “Death no longer has dominion over Him” (Rom.6:9a). Because He lives forever, every believer will live forever: “But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb.7:24-25). Those words delete all doubt and fear. Not only does His eternal life anchor me in assurance, Christ gives me a new way to live. My old self was crucified with Christ, dead and buried. Because He lives, I count myself dead to sin and fully alive to God; no longer mastered by sin, but living through the Power of Grace.

Paul’s statement was most concise on this new life: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal.2:20). Because He lives, I am no longer under the cloak of condemnation. I have been set free from the law of sin and death, by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ (Rom.8:1-2). His Life brings divine certainty in the midst of the world’s uncertainties. The question of salvation weighs heavy on the hearts of many people. Uncertainty and doubt plague their souls. They wonder, “Have I done enough?” Or, “Have I been good enough?” The answer will always be “No!” But Jesus did enough through His death, burial and resurrection.

The Power of God by which Jesus was raised from death is working in me (Rom.8:11). His Life anchors me in the assurance that I am fully alive. The song – Because He Lives – should strike the chord of hope in us who genuinely believe in Christ.

“God sent His Son. They called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon an empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Despite all the trials and troubles in the world, life is worth living because Jesus lives – because HE LIVES IN ME! This is my “Blessed Assurance”! His Resurrection Power is sufficient reason to live life to the fullest. Of course, life on earth comes with diverse struggles. But, the risen Lord makes His Power and Peace available to help us “stand fast in the Lord” (1The.3:8).