He is Risen! So What?

This is not your average blog-post-closest-to-Easter kind of post.

While I've been known to talk about the solid evidence for believing that Jesus of Nazareth was killed on a Roman cross about 1,988 years ago but didn't stay dead, this post is not about that.

It's not about that, because there's something more important  -  maybe even something more surprising and earth-shaking  -  that I want to bring to our attention.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying the Resurrection didn't happen, and I'm not saying the Resurrection isn't important. I absolutely agree with Paul when he says "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 of all people most to be pitied. (I Corinthians 15:17-19)

The point I want to make ... the "so what?" of this post's title ... is that Jesus' resurrection needs to have an effect on our lives in the here and now. It wasn't just for Jesus' benefit, and it wasn't just for our eventual existence in heaven for eternity.

We should be living with confidence, power, victory, and the reckless, raging fury called the demonstrated love of God.

Right here.

Right now.

Why? Because "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (Romans 8:9-14)

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Truth is...While the historicity of the Resurrection is absolutely vital to Christianity's existence, you and me walking and talking and loving people in the power that was demonstrated by that empty tomb is absolutely vital to Christianity's continuance.