Easter is the day that we celebrate the Resurrection. Although Easter is celebrated once a year, the Lord's Resurrection has implications that affect us daily. The crucifixion and resurrection are connected. Together, they are the essence of the Gospel. The crucifixion was Christ paying the ransom for and satisfying the wrath of God against our sins (click here for more). Three days later, the resurrection is the evidence that Christ is who He said He is and the confirmation that the work of salvation is indeed completed (Matt. 28:6). "Our Lord's resurrection is His vindication, the declaration that He indeed was perfectly righteous and was therefore a suitable offering to turn away the wrath of God and also the firm basis upon which we can be declared just before the Father. If Jesus had stayed dead, it would have proven that death had a rightful claim over Him, and since death has a rightful claim only over sinners, Jesus' remaining dead would have meant that He was a sinner and not our Redeemer" (Ligonier). Every single thing we do comes out of our belief about the curcifixion and resurrection. This article will discuss what it means for us because He resurrected and does indeed live!
Justification
Due to our sin nature (brought into the world through Adam and Eve), all have sinned against our holy God (Rom. 3:23). Since God is Holy, He cannot tolerate sin (Isaiah 6:1-7, Habakkuk 1:13). In fact, we see throughout Scripture that He is wrathful against sin (Romans 1:18) . God's Holy, just nature can only accept a perfect following of His principles, which none of us can do (Colossians 1:28, Matthew 5:48). Since, from the very start, we have all broken His commandments, we are declared guilty. Just as in our own justice system, there must be punishment and consequences when we commit a crime. Romans 6:23 tells us that the "wages of sin is death." Matthew 10:28 says: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." If we do not have eternal life, then we are condemned to Hell (John 3:36). Through Christ, we have been declared "not guilty"! This acquittal is not on our own merit, quite the opposite. We still should be declared "guilty," but we have been freed from that charge on Christ's merit.
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24
"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:25
"Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:6-7
Propriation Atonement
In the legal system, there are typically damages or a remedy of some kind to satisfy he who has been wronged. Death is the damages due for sinning against God (Rom. 6:23). We could have never paid this debt on our own. Instead, Christ, the perfect "once for all sacrifice," took our place on the cross (propriation) (Hebrews 7:27). He was the only One who could since He was 100% man to pay the price on behalf of man and 100% God to be sinless and pay for the sins of others (not Himself) (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His sacrifice on the cross, He willingly submitted to the Father and paid the price for our sins, not just covering them but also atoning for them (John 5:30, 6:38). The debt for our sins has been paid in full (Colossians 2:13-14)!
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:14
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Romans 3:25
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10
Imputed Righteousness
Christ was treated how we ought to have been treated. He took our place on the cross, taking on the full wrath of God against sin, and in turn, we are given His righteousness. Because we are sinners, we could never be righteous on our own (Rom. 3:10). Even after we are saved, we still continue to sin until we die (1 John 1:8). Thus, the only reason we are counted righteous by God is through Christ's atonement. "His death takes away our sin, and His resurrection establishes us in His kingdom of righteousness" (Ligonier).
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21
"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Romans 3:22-25
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:5
Reconciled to God
Since the price has been paid for our sin and God's wrath has been satified, Christ has reconciled us back to God. Sin separates us from God, but through Christ, our standing before the Lord has been restored (Isaiah 59:2). It is only through the Son that we have access to the Father (John 14:6), for He is the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13-14). "God incorporates all justified sinners into a covenant community (the church) and grants them access to the very throne of God (Rom. 8:26–27; 1 John 2:1-2)" (Ligonier).
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Adopted
Not only are we reconciled to God, but also through Christ, we are adopted as God's children. "Both John Calvin and the Westminster Confession of Faith speak of the importance of the biblical doctrine of adoption (wherein we become members of God’s family) because God does not justify individuals and leave them on their own without uniting them to Himself through Christ" (Ligonier). Our Father is the most perfect father you could ask for! It is a special, intimate relationship we can have with Him. We can come to our Father directly at anytime, communing with and humbly coming before Him. We know He hears us (1 John 5:14), loves us (Rom. 8:28), and takes care of all things for us according to His will (Matt. 6:25-34, 7:7-11). As our Father, we know we can revere (Prov. 28:14) and trust Him (Prov. 3:5-6).
"Apart from Christ, we cannot speak of God as our Father, only as our creator and judge. As our creator and judge, God remains distant, even threatening to us because of our sins. There is no intimacy with God, and we dare not even approach Him. Once we are justified, because Christ’s perfect and faultless righteousness has been reckoned to us through faith, God is no longer our judge. He is now 'our Father.' This comes about because God has already placed Christ under His judgment (the cross) so that we need never fear His wrath. Christ has borne that wrath in His own flesh. He was judged for us and in our place. Apart from the cross, God is our judge. Under the cross, He is our Father" (Ligonier).
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Colossians 1:12-13
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." Ephesians 1:5
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26
"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:5
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:1-2
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15
Receive the Holy Spirit
Those who are saved receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee or assurance. Legally, a guarantee is "a formal pledge to pay another person's debt or to perform another person's obligation in the case of default." The Holy Spirit is the seal that Christ has paid our debt on our behalf! Just like the Father and Son, the Holy Spirit is a Person in the Trinity (God). Some of His roles include convicting us, comforting us, providing understanding of God's Word, reminding us of Scripture, and enabling us to do good works and to live life in obedience. Jesus sent Him as a Helper when He ascended back to Heaven (John 14:26). For more on the Holy Spirit and what the Holy Spirit does, read this article.
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38
Regeneration
Along with the Holy Spirit, we are given a new heart. We are a brand new creation, the old has passed away. Christ has given us a brand new slate and start. This is regeneration. Regeneration is the "spiritual change wrought in the heart of man by the Holy Spirit in which his/her inherently sinful nature is changed so that he/she can respond to God in Faith, and live in accordance with His Will (Matt. 19:28; John 3:3,5,7; Titus 3:5)" (JI Packer). It is the "'birth' by which this work of new creation is begun, as sanctification is the 'growth' whereby it continues (I Pet. 2:2; II Pet. 3:18)" (JI Packer). Essentially, it is the beginning of our sanctification as we turn away (repent) from our old lives (Rom. 6:22) and start walking the straight and narrow path (Matt. 7:13-14). The whole JI Packer cited is a great one to go more in-depth on this topic.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
Freedom from Sin
The blank slate we receive when we are regenerated is not to turn back to the sin we are saved from (1 John 3:9). Our old self that was dead in sin has been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20). We are no longer slaves to sin (Gal. 5:1). There is no longer a bondage holding us back. Now, we can live a life seeking after God in a life of obedience. Having a regenerated heart enables us to hate what God hates and to love what God loves. We become lovers of and delight in His Word (Ps. 1:1-2).
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Romans 6:6
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1
"As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16
Bear Fruits
Matthew 7:21 tells us that not everyone who publicly professes faith in Christ will be saved, but it is those who bear fruit by doing the will of the Father. It is impossible to bear fruits without Christ, apart from whom we can do nothing (John 15:4-5). These specific fruits we bear are the Fruits of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22-23. Fruits are not the root of salvation, but the very evidence we have been saved (Matt. 7:16-20). A regenerated heart abiding in Christ is constantly seeking God to live a live of surrendered obedience, producing fruit.
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." John 15:8-10
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20
No Fear in Death
There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Rom. 8:1). Death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55)! We no longer have to fear death, for the One who can "destroy both body and soul in Hell" calls us His. We are His remnant and will spend all of eternity with Him. When our earthly pilgrimage is done, we will return home to the Lord, for we are considered citizens of Heaven (1 Pet. 2:11). Eternal life for those who are saved is not a question of "if" but "when." Thus, there is no need to be afraid of death when you know where you are going.
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Corinthians 15:16-20
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15: 56-57
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
Offer of Salvation
The offer of salvation is to all but only those who repent and believe will be saved. You must be born again (John 3:1-8). Saving faith is more than just saying a prayer and continuing life as you were. Truly encountering Christ will not leave you the same. It's impossible, for the Gospel changes everything! Saving faith is a gift of grace and is a full commitment to fully live a life of surrendered obdience. The fruit and evidence of Christ abiding in you and of your salvation will not be hard to find in you. Scripture tells us to to use God's Word to examine and test ourselves to see if we truly are in the faith and are saved (2 Corinthians 13:5).
The gift of grace is something we could never earn on our own. Its price is insurmountable. The fullness of the Gospel, both the crucifixion and resurrection, should lead to doxology. Everything this article discusses occurs because Christ lives and resurrected, confirming He is indeed our redeemer!
"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." Ephesians 4:22
By: Bible and Hot Cocoa (IG & TikTok: @bibleandhotcocoa)
Juliana (Jules for short) is the founder of Bible and Hot Cocoa. She is a sinner redeemed by Christ looking to share the Gospel, to stand up for biblical truth, and to encourage other women to embrace biblical womanhood and to grow in biblical literacy. In her free time, she loves to utilize her creativity, read, study reformed theology, go for walks, and spend time with loved ones. Jules' favorite book of the Bible would have to be Psalms and Proverbs (as of now), and her favorite biblical figure besides Jesus is Sarah.
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