The days grow longer, the temperature is getting warmer, and the drab brown changes to an inviting green. Spring is here, bringing renewed life to the earth. This annual revival of nature is an apt picture of resurrection from death to life.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is foundational to believers. It is as inseparable from the Gospel as is His death. In defining and declaring the gospel, Paul said, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Christ's resurrection is God's declaration of who Christ is (Rom. 1:4), and it assures the justification of believers (Rom. 4:5). His resurrection is the guarantee that the believer will be resurrected. "Because I live, ye shall live also," (John 14:9).
Resurrection is a spectacular change from the insensitive and corrupt state of death. As the child of God shares in the crucifixion of Christ, so the believer shares in His resurrection (Rom. 6:3-6). We were dead in trespasses and sins, but now we are alive. The resurrection of Christ assures the resurrection of the believer.
We look forward to the day "when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality." However, the believer does not have to wait before experiencing the glories of resurrection. The Christian already is risen with Christ (Col 3:1). Paul challenges us to live according to this reality. We are to live the resurrection life.
The resurrection life affects our ambitions. It "seeks those things which are above," (Col 3:1). The world gives us many things to chase after. Fame, fortune, and fun are the chief pursuits of many, including many believers. A life spent chasing the temporal will have nothing to show for it in eternity. If, however, we enter a quest for that which matters in eternity, we will have double benefit. We lay up treasure in heaven, and we experience the resurrection life now.
What we think about, meditate on, or are preoccupied with is what we attach ourselves to. It is difficult to leave that to which attach ourselves. The resurrection life alters our attachments. If we set our "affection on things above," (Col. 3:2), we will be thinking about heaven and heavenly business. This preoccupation does not make us of "no earthly good," but makes us of greater earthly value. Our attachment to heaven makes us better ambassadors of Christ. Attachment to heaven keeps us from adopting worldly values, behavior and lifestyles. I suspect that some believers are indistinguishable from the unsaved because they are preoccupied with earthly things.
Being risen with Christ arouses our anticipation. Paul states, "your life is hid with Christ in God." Hidden securely in Him, we will be revealed with Him when He comes to set up His kingdom on earth. John paints a stirring scene in describing Christ's coming at Armageddon! He is on a white horse, His eyes are as flames of fire, He wears many crowns, and His garments are blood stained. Behind Him rides the linen clothed army of saints. That army is the believers who were snatched up to be with Him seven years before. That is us in resurrected, glorified fashion, revealed with Him!
The resurrection has profound influence on the believer. It even adjusts the actions of the child of God. In Colossians 3:5-16, Paul gives the outward result of the resurrection life. We are to put to death some behavior and attitudes. Others we are to shed as we would remove and burn old, dirty clothes. We are to establish new patterns of behavior and attitudes that reflect our new, resurrection life.
How out of place a snow storm is in mid-July! Even more out of place is the pattern of sin and worldly attitudes in the believer who is "risen with Christ." Let us live the resurrection life in our ambitions, attachments, anticipations, and actions.