He is Risen! Therefore You Have Hope!
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:5-6
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
Some of the most comforting words of the Bible are found in passages of Scripture (like those above) that remind us that Jesus Christ is risen and is alive. Why are these words so comforting? They are comforting because they remind us that death has been defeated.
Death exists because Adam sinned
The Bible teaches that all of us are decedents of Adam (Genesis 1:27-2:25). When the Lord God created everything in 6 days, He made Adam and Eve, in His image, without sin, and in perfect fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:31). The Bible teaches that unfortunately, Adam rebelled against God's command (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:9-19; 1 Tim. 2:14). Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result of Adam's sin, you and I are born sinners and are sinners by nature (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10, 23; 1 Cor. 15:22).
The Bible teaches that the result of Adam's disobedience is separation from God, sin, suffering, pain, and death to all of creation (Isaiah 59:2-8; Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23; Romans 8:20-22) and judgment. Hebrews 9:27 says "As as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
Sin brings judgment
As a result of our sin against our Creator, we are not holy and cannot go to heaven. We all stand in judgement for our actions (Ecc. 12:14; John 3:16-21, 36; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:2-15).
The Bible teaches us in James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Therefore, the Bible teaches us that no person on earth is holy enough, nor are they able to become holy enough through works, to go to heaven when we die (Ecc. 7:20; Titus 3:5). We have all broken God's laws. We are all guilty before Him. We all deserve His judgment.
How do you know you have sinned against God? When being honest with the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21), the Moral Law shows us we are all sinners and are in need for a redeemer, a Savior--to rescue us from the judgment (Romans 3:19-20; Hebrews 9:28).
Jesus Christ came to take God's wrath for us and give us eternal life
Since Jesus Christ came, He--being the Second Adam--brought life that lasts forever to all who place their faith in Him (John 3:16). Jesus shed His blood to pay for all of our sins--past, present, and future. Jesus took all of the wrath of God for us (1 John 1:7; 2:1-2; 4:9-10). Because of what Jesus did, He made it possible for you and I to escape the coming just judgment we deserve if we place our faith in Him (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9). Besides forever forgiving us for our sins, He also gives us everlasting life and promises that we will live forever with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). The promise of eternal life is guaranteed because Jesus Christ is alive (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
Therefore, since Jesus Christ is risen, you and I always have hope!
The sufferings in this life, although very painful at times, will one day end for the one who has placed his/her faith in the Living Savior, Jesus Christ. Why? Because the resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that what God has said in His Word is true.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that the shedding of His blood on the cross really did complete the Father's plan for bringing redemption to humanity. The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that if you place your faith Him for salvation, you really are forgiven forever of your sins! You really no longer have to worry about judgement (1 Corinthians 15:12-22)! Jesus is really preparing a home for you right now in Heaven! (John 14:1-3)
Jesus Christ is alive. Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life. He promises that if you trust in Him, you will never die. Believe on Him and you will know the joy of forgiveness and receive eternal life!
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." Romans 5:1-11
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39
To receive eternal life in Christ, all you have to do is ABC:
Acknowledge the fact that you are sinner, with no hope of redeeming yourself (Romans 3:10, 23).
Believe that Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins, and that He offers the free gift of salvation (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
Confess the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as your personal Savior (John 3:16).
