"Jesus' Resurrection from the Dead" is humanity's only hope! This world is home to various religions, yet Christianity is the only one that speaks of "resurrection from the dead." If Jesus had not risen, there would be no such thing as "redemption"! If Jesus had not risen, humanity could never escape the darkness! If Jesus had not risen, the entire New Testament would be utterly meaningless! "Christianity" is not a religious faith that merely requires people to "do good deeds." The teachings of Christ Jesus call us to "confess our sins and repent"; by relying on our "cooperation with the Holy Spirit," we are enabled to overcome "sin." Christianity is not a faith of "condemnation"; rather, it is a faith that brings "hope" to humanity! Because we have come to know "Christ"—and because we have accepted "Christ" as the Lord of our lives—our lives are now imbued with the "hope of eternal life"! Why are so many "missionaries" willing to lay down their lives? Why are so many "missionaries" willing to deny themselves? Because we all know this: our "death" is not an eternal death; rather, our death ushers us into—the hope of eternal life! John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." —Christ has indeed "risen from the dead"! Christ is already reigning as King in heaven! Christ has already prepared dwelling places in heaven for His disciples! The most beautiful blessing for a Christian is this: We possess both "abundance in this life" and the "hope of eternal life"! 1. As long as we are willing to confess our sins and repent. 2. As long as we are willing to take up our own crosses and follow Jesus. 3. We shall not only enjoy "abundance in this life," but we shall also possess the "hope of eternal life"! If a person refuses to confess their sins and repent in this life—if they continue to walk about clad in the filth of their iniquity—they simply cannot enter heaven! Heaven is a glorious place; heaven is utterly devoid of even the slightest trace of "sin." Only those who "confess their sins and repent" and who "follow Jesus" can receive Jesus' "promises and blessings"! Thanks be to God! May we all—put off the old self and become a new creation, finding in Jesus Christ the abundance of this life and the hope of eternal life!
