How should belief in resurrection influence our daily Christian living and decisions? The God of the Living “But in the passage about the burning bush, even Moses proved that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’” (Luke 20:37) Jesus roots the certainty of resurrection in God’s very name. If He is still “the God of” patriarchs who have physically died, they must yet live before Him. Scripture states this plainly and literally. Because the resurrection is a settled fact, it must color every decision we make right now. Resurrection Anchors Our Identity • We are not primarily citizens of this age. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20–21). • The real “you” is destined for a glorified body. Knowing that changes how we view appearance, aging, and health. • The future resurrection confirms our worth: God intends to keep us forever, body and soul. Resurrection Shapes Daily Choices Colossians 3:1–4 lays it out: “Set your hearts on things above… For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Practical outworking: • Time management – eternal priorities eclipse temporary amusements. • Entertainment – if it won’t matter in the age to come, why let it master your thoughts now? • Speech – words carry over into eternity (Matthew 12:36). Speak as future resurrected saints. Resurrection Energizes Hope in Suffering • 1 Corinthians 15:54–57 promises death’s defeat. Pain is real, but it has an expiration date. • Romans 8:18 reminds us present sufferings are “not worth comparing with the glory” to be revealed. • Because the body will be raised, we can endure bodily trials without despair. The best health is on the way. Resurrection Fuels Holiness • Romans 6:4–5 – we were buried with Christ and “just as Christ was raised… so we too may walk in newness of life.” • Every temptation asks, “Live for now or for the endless age?” Choosing purity is saying, “My resurrection life has already started.” Resurrection Strengthens Community and Service • 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” • Serving others invests in people we will know forever. • Forgiveness comes easier: we’ll share eternity together; grudges have no future. Resurrection Redirects Resources • Hebrews 11:10, 16 shows Abraham living loosely in this world, looking for a better city God prepared. • Generosity flows when material goods are seen as temporary tools. Lay them up where moth and rust cannot reach (Matthew 6:19–21). Resurrection Calls Us to Perseverance • 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 – “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day… what is unseen is eternal.” • Persevering faith says, “I can’t lose; the finish line ends in bodily resurrection with Christ.” Living in Resurrection Reality: Simple Practices • Begin each morning thanking God that this body will rise immortal. • When making plans, ask, “How will this matter in a thousand years?” • Visit cemeteries with the mindset of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – they are merely sleeping quarters awaiting a trumpet blast. • Encourage fellow believers with resurrection promises instead of clichés (1 Thessalonians 4:18). • Engage in frequent, tangible acts of service: mow a widow’s lawn, teach children Scripture—work that outlives the grave. The God who is “not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Luke 20:38) assures us that resurrection is more than a doctrine; it is the lens through which every decision finds eternal clarity. |
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