◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 15:3 Mean? ►

We are Christians because we believe that Christ died and rose again, and that His death was a substitutionary death. We believe that He paid the price for sin so that all who believe on His name would be saved. He paid the purchase price for our redemption so that those who believe on His name become God's own purchased possession - for we are in Christ and accepted in the Beloved.

Our faith is not a crutch as some unbelievers like to say, but our faith is based on the facts of God's inerrant Word; truths that God has given to us about His character and plan, and truths that are rooted and grounded in historical events.

Christ died for our sins and the proof is that He was buried. Christ rose again on the third day, and the proof is that hundreds saw His post-Resurrection appearances, and this is recorded in the Word of God, which is truth straight from the heart of God to His people.

The Lord Jesus died to pay the price for sin, which means all our sin is forgiven because of this fact. The Lord Jesus rose on the third day, which means that He broke the power of death and because He lives, we too shall live.

This is the most glorious truth that has touched the lives of all believers.

But the death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus was also according to the Scriptures. These historical facts were the fulfilment of prophecy. The proven fact of fulfilled prophecy at Christ's First Coming should rejoice our hearts, for we have an assurance that all prophecies connected with His Second Coming will also be fulfilled, according to the Scriptures.

The significance of Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection for the believer is unprecedented, for as God's purchased possession, we too have died with Christ and rise into newness of life. And when He comes to claim the Church as His Bride, we will all be changed into a body that is like unto His glorious body - for this is life eternal that you know God and Him Whom He has sent.

Loving Father, sometimes I am so familiar with the truth of Scripture, that I do not adequately take in its enormous significance. Help the truth of Jesus' death and Resurrection permeate deep into my heart, for You are good and gracious, and Your mercy toward me is everlasting. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.