Originally written Feb. 4, 2008.
Never mind evolutionism, humanism and relativism.
If there’s one thing people are slow to accept it’s the idea that Jesus really died and was really resurrected. Some say he just died and that was it. Others say he faked his death and, well, “got better” after going through that little dust-up with Pilate.
Paul (you know, the guy who at one point held one of those two views himself) wrote
“…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”
So.
There you have it.
This idea that Jesus really died and was really raised matters. No true believer can read this scripture and believe for a second that Jesus didn’t really die. No way.
But… What about us?
Aren’t we called to be imitators of Christ?
Were we not crucified with Christ in our conversion?
Did we not die to ourselves?
Or did we fake our death?
That’s what I’m wrestling with. I believe my conversion is true, but am I living as someone who was once dead and is now alive? Am I as deeply appreciative of the new life I have as say, oh, the Philippian jailor with the knife in his fist, or the Centurion or the parents of Dorcas, or Mary and Martha – or Lazarus himself?
Or am I pulling a Jonah every day… “never mind that deal with fish, my vine’s dying here!”
One thing I do know is that our world is full of dying people who are quick to write us off despite the message we’re trying to share. Is it because we are reallyliving selfless lives of service and conviction… or is it because they see us as people who, like them, just pretty much exist?
So never mind deadlines, bills, routines and the toll the writers strike is taking on your evenings away from your kids and neighbors. Live like people who really died and really live again.
Heaven knows you have at least One example to follow…
Artwork by RadoJavor via DeviantArt.com
Joe Said So 