April 30, 2011 … The Resurrection’s Final Victory

Passage of the Day: 1st Corinthians 15: 54 – 55, 57 … When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." [from Isaiah 25: 8] 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" [from Hosea 13: 14] … 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

My Journal for Today: This is the last day in my April devotional series, taken from MacArthur’s Strength for Today, on the pertinence and power of the RESURRECTION of Christ in the life of the Christian.

It is true that many in this world run from their own mortality … from death; but in this “resurrection chapter” of his letter to the Church, the Apostle Paul, helps all Christians to be thankful that death no longer has any “sting” for the believer in and follower of The Christ. And Paul, using quotes from the Old Testament prophets, uses an apt word picture, taken from the OT Prophet Hosea, to help us see this truth about death.

When a bee stings someone, it leaves its stinger in its victim; and the bee dies. Well, death left its stinger in Jesus, Who took all the venom out of death on the cross, allowing His beloved Bride, the Church, to face physical death with the prospects and sweetness of eternal life before us – with no sting. We can also read this doctrine clearly and strongly taught in Romans 6: 9 …

SCRIPTURE: Rom. 6: 9 ... For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.

Death no longer had mastery over Christ as He rose in His resurrection; and it no longer has any sting over believers, as His victory in resurrection will allow us to be raised again to be with Him forever.

And so, it’s no wonder that Paul exhorts all Christians by his own expression of thankfulness in 1st Cor. 15: 57 to praise God for His redeeming work on the cross, which has taken all the sting out of death and provides us with eternal hope that we could never attain on our own. Can I sense a “HALLELUJAH!” from any believers who is reading this? If you were sitting here with me, you’d certainly get one from this old warrior.

And furthermore, in his devotional for this date, MacArthur cites Rev. 21: 4 with the resounding glory we will realize in heaven, where there will be no pain.

SCRIPTURE:Rev. 21: 4 He [Jesus] will wipe every tear from their eyes [the eyes of the faithful]. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

That is what Christ’s resurrection has done to prepare a place for me with Him for eternity … for any and all who believe on Him; and I can only pray that any who are reading this have joined me in believing the truth of Christ’s resurrection. And I also pray that you have received His saving grace by your faith in what He did on the cross and by being raised again to take away our sins.

Here’s to celebrating Christ’s final victory in the resurrection!!

My Prayer Today: O Lord, I pray that all who read here will find the joy of heaven, eternal in Your resurrection. Amen