John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his ONE and ONLY Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This eternal life is called RESURRECTION life. Without Christ’s death and resurrection, we would not have hope in Eternity and our faith would be in vain. Both God and Jesus gave EVERYTHING to offer us abundant life! One day we too, shall be resurrected into a glorious, eternal life with Christ. That is a wonderful day to look forward to! “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.” (1 Peter 1:3)
When the thief on the cross, who was crucified next to Jesus, realized that Jesus was the Son of God, the Holy One who suffered in our place and took all our sins so that we can have life; this man asked Jesus to “remember him” when He entered Eternal life. Jesus accepted this man by grace so that he too, could enter heaven.
So, how do we also enter heaven? Pastor Colin Smith writes – “The thief had no works to offer, either before or after his salvation. His salvation was only by the GRACE OF GOD” A. W. Pink wrote – “The thief could not walk in the paths of righteousness for there was a nail through either foot. He could not perform any good works for there was a nail through either hand. He could not turn over a new leaf and live a better life for he was dying.” Yet Christ’s grace gave him grace to have newness of life in abundance.
Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 6:11 – “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and SING FOR JOY! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”
Jesus Himself said in John 6:40 – “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Jesus Himself said in John 6:40 – “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
In John 11 we read how Jesus went to Martha and Mary after their brother Lazarus died. Jesus’ words to Martha just before He raised Lazarus, was – “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (verses 25, 26)
Jesus asks each one of us:- “Do you believe that one day you too will be raised from death to Eternal life?” THAT is our hope and assurance. Paul wrote in Romans 8:11 – “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He (Abba Father God) who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Paul also wrote in Phil. 3:10 – 12 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to KNOW THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION and participation in his sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Blessed Abba Father, thank You so much for sending Jesus Christ to die in my place. Thank You that we can also hope to be resurrected one day! What joy it will be to see You face to face one day and live with You in our Eternal Home. Please help me to PRESS ON to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for me. I love and adore and praise You! Amen
Myrtle Turunen