There is immeasurable value and virtue in Christ's resurrection. Not only is every sin paid for, but, by the grace of God, a Christian is absent from the body and present with the Lord the moment he dies. As Stephen was dying, he saw Jesus stand up to meet him (Acts 7:55).
Whatever terrible thing that can happen to a Christian will be followed by victory. On the Isle of Patmos at the age of 98, the apostle John was tortured terribly. Yet, John saw the glorified Christ who comforted him on that terrible island of persecution.
The three Hebrew boys were placed in a furnace, and King Nebuchadnezzar thought he was triumphant (Daniel 3). But in that furnace was the Fourth Man. Those boys weren't hurt at all! Victory came out of a furnace that was turned up seven times hotter than ever before.
Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, and he was put there just when they were the most hungry (Daniel 6:16-24). The angels shut the mouths of the lions.
Adversity can attack us on the outside, but it doesn't have to be internalized as stress. We have resurrection joy and resurrection peace. We know that we know that Jesus is resurrected!
- Atmospheric Cycles - January 30, 2018
- A Walk That Defeats the Enemy - July 14, 2017
- Don’t Be an Abstract Christian - March 18, 2017
