BASIS FOR VICTORY
Part two of six devotions in Resurrection Power series
1 Corinthians 15:19, 54-55: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’
‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’”
Jesus’ resurrection changed everything! Jesus’ death was real (Matthew 27:50). The devil began dancing, celebrating three days what he thought was his victory. Then there was an earthquake. Mary Magdalene was the first one on earth to hear about Jesus’ resurrection and see Him personally (Matthew 28:2-9).
The devil stopped dancing. 1 John 3:8b says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” The devil IS defeated. John 14:30 shows Jesus’ words, “I will not speak to you much longer, for the prince of this world [the devil] is coming. He has no hold on Me.”
Apostle Paul says in the first Scripture reading, “if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied.” Believers’ hope stretches beyond this earth and grasps victory in heaven (Matthew 25:31-34). Believers can stand firm. Christ died for our sins. He was buried. Then He rose back to life on the third day.
See the lesson linked below to learn how Believers will also live again. Jesus’ resurrection power is the basis for our hope of victory, too.
This hope is real. We can stare down death and smile. We know that Jesus’ resurrection power will break us out of the prison of death. And…we can share this hope for victory with others…because we believe and trust Jesus’ resurrection power. The good news of the Gospel carries resurrection power. The good news of the Gospel brings eternal value to people everywhere.
Our faith is useless without resurrection power. Resurrection power is the foundation, the basis, the very source for our hope of victory from death. Because Jesus is alive today at the Father’s right hand, that hope is secure. (Ephesians 1:20).
Take Home Nugget
Reread the beginning Scripture and imagine what if…what if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead? Without the resurrection, Christian faith would be stupid. Without the resurrection, there wouldn’t be a gospel message. Without the resurrection, we’d never be saved for eternal life.
Without the resurrection, we’d have no hope for the future. This life would be all there is.
Praise God for resurrection power!
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
Adapted from “Are you ready to experience the resurrection power every day?” by Lesli White. www.beliefnet.com. June 13, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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