The Fruits Of The Resurrection
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
The fruits of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead are many and
important.
First, there were immediate results. It silenced those who had
ridiculed His claims, and struck terror into their hearts. It explained how the
prophecies would be fulfilled which predicted the death of Christ and the
kingdom glory to follow. It heartened His followers, making cowards bold,
turning their fear into faith, their sorrow into joy and their despair into
glorious victory.
Then there were also long range results, for our Lord’s
resurrection is a warning to unbelievers:
“Because [God] hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in
righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance
unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31. See
also John 5:22,27; Acts 10:42).
As to believers, first, Christ’s resurrection from the dead
assures us that our debt of sin has been fully paid:
“[HE] WAS DELIVERED
FOR OUR OFFENCES, AND WAS RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. THEREFORE BEING
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Rom. 4:25;
5:1).
Second, His resurrection gives us a living Savior to help us in
our daily walk.
“WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE
ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER
LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM” (Heb.7:25).
Third, His resurrection is the pledge of our own:
“FOR IF WE BELIEVE
THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD
BRING [FROM THE DEAD] WITH HIM” (I Thes. 4,14; cf. Heb. 13:20).
“BLESSED BE THE GOD
AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO, ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY, HATH
BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO A LIVING HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM
THE DEAD” (I Pet. 1:3)
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