The Resurrected Life

What do you suppose is the best evidence of Jesus Christ's resurrection?  The empty tomb?  The historical evidence?  The biblical accounts?  While all of these are credible, there might be evidence that holds more sway than all these:  the new life of a born-again believer.  A transformed life through the power of the Holy Spirit is a divine revelation of God's love, power, and grace as our living Saviour Jesus Christ lives His life through us.  People might discount the authority of scripture in ignorance.  They may wrongly believe that the resurrection account was a fabrication.  But they cannot long deny the transformation of a person by a real relationship with the living God.

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory."  Jesus is Immanuel, God with us clothed in human flesh.  After His crucifixion, three days later Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many before His ascension.  He chose to leave His disciples behind, but He did not leave them alone.  He prayed the Father who sent the Holy Spirit to empower Christ's followers to be witnesses to glorify His name throughout the world.  An empty tomb carved out of a rock still speaks, but living witnesses have a more powerful testimony still.  Jesus affirmed in John 14:12:  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

How great is the work and calling of every Christian disciple!  We are not worthy through our efforts, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  Great is the scope of the need, hard are the hearts, blind are the eyes, and deaf are the ears.  But our God shall supply all our needs.  His strength is sufficient for us.  He came to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and raise the dead - and desires His work to continue through us!  It is written in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."  While on earth we are not yet perfected, but we are called to be faithful.  We must be faithful to Jesus, His Word, be obedient to His commands, and love one another as He has loved us.  We are called to abide in Christ and boldly hold forth the mystery of the Gospel revealed in these last days.  We are unable, but God is able.

Let us pursue this high calling, that our Christ-led Spirit-empowered lives might provide the best evidence of Christ's life and love for the glory of God.  Let us work with our hands what is good "...for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).  Praise His name for the gift of forgiveness, salvation, and the gifts He has given to men!