But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:20
The whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that "Christ has been raised from the dead;" for "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain" (verse 13).
The divinity of Christ finds its surest proof in His resurrection, since He was "declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead."1 It would not be unreasonable to doubt His Deity if He had not risen. Furthermore, Christ's sovereignty depends upon His resurrection: "For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living."2 Again, our justification, that choice blessing of the covenant, is linked with Christ's triumphant victory over death and the grave, for He "was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."3
More than this, our very regeneration is connected with His resurrection, for we are "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."4 And most certainly our ultimate resurrection rests here, for "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."5 If Christ is not risen, then we will not rise; but if He is risen, then those who are asleep in Christ have not perished but in their flesh shall surely see God. In this way the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the believer's blessings, from his regeneration onward to his eternal glory, and ties them all together. How important for believers is this glorious fact, and how they rejoice that beyond a doubt it is established, that "in fact Christ has been raised from the dead."
The promise is fulfill'd,
Redemption's work is done,
Justice with mercy's reconciled,
For God has raised His Son.
1) Romans 1:4
2) Romans 14:9
3) Romans 4:25
4) 1 Peter 1:3
5) Romans 8:11
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From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg copyright © 2003. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.