Because He lives...

by Elizabeth Stewart

Because Jesus Christ lives, because God raised Him from the dead, we know that His sacrifice as the perfect, sinless Lamb of God was sufficient as the atonement for our debt of sin, as the redemption for our freedom, as the reconciliation in our relationship with our heavenly Father.
18 You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold,19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:17-19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition  
Hallelujah! Our iniquities are forgiven, our diseases are healed, our life is redeemed from the pit. (see Psalm 103)

Because He lives, we have eternal life.
 "For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition 
Our eternal life doesn't just begin when we die, but when we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior. 
"Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation)." Ephesians 2:5 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Because He lives, we too will be resurrected.  There will come a great and glorious day when we receive immortal, 
indestructible bodies.  No longer will our body be tormented with the sickness, pain, and weakness that resulted from the fall of man.  We will finally know what it is to walk in complete wholeness in our body, soul and spirit. 
 "17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];18 And further, those who have died in [spiritual fellowship and union with] Christ have perished (are lost)! 19 If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. 20 But the fact is that Christ (the Messiah) has been raised from the dead, and He became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].21 For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come].22 For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive.23 But each in his own rank and turn: Christ (the Messiah) [is] the firstfruits, then those who are Christ’s [own will be resurrected] at His coming." 
"And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory."I Corinthians 15:17-23,  54Amplified Bible, Classic Edition 
Hallelujah!

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