Many will think of the resurrection of Jesus and its benefits for us to be only in the future. Sometime after we die we will be raised again to spend eternity praising and serving God. While it is true that we will enjoy an eternity with God in his heavenly realm this resurrection also gives us benefits in the here and now.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ESV
We are born again to a living hope. Hope in these days is kind of a weasel word. People will say “I hope it is a nice day for our picnic.” “Wow I hope that it rains today.” No this hope is associated with the strong and sure promises purchased by the God/man for us by his resurrection. We are born again into a new family. We appear before God as precious children in whom he delights. We are no longer under the law’s condemnation. There is no threats or vexation it can do to us. Our Father is no longer filled with wrath toward us. But he is indeed our dear Father and we his dear children in Christ.
We do not behold these blessings in fulness. This is why it is our living hope. The fulness is ours when Jesus returns to put an end to all this foolishness we endure day in and out. This is not at all on the account of anything we have done but rather because of his great mercy. Mercy which caused Jesus to become our new head, a righteous head, who gives us his righteousness. We can reflect on our baptism and go forth in resurrected assurance to face our day.
In the name of Jesus. Amen †
2 comments:
What are all these prety pictures on your blog Dave? You don't worship them do you? Are they a kind of icon to be venerated or just an art form, do they have any significance in worship of our one true God?
Ieaun Sant
David,
I really love the great devotional artwork that you have on your blog.
Anything that helps remind me of my Lord and the great things that He has done for me, is a real blessing to me.
Some people believe that devotional images like that are graven images. To that I reply,'the cross you wear around your neck is graven...the Bible you read is graven. You don't worship those things do you?'
Great post, by the way. He is our living Hpe. He is our sure Hope.
In our baptism, He breathes life into us and gives us Hope. He gives us Himself!
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