P Dozo
Jesus Christ is the incarnate of God. He was born in human form but wholly divine. He lived a perfect and holy life. He was crucified on our behalf. He rose again on the third day. He ascended Heaven. All this took place according to the Scriptures and salvation plan of God. Jesus Christ promised that he is coming back to receive His believers.
The power of resurrection of Christ empowered the life of the disciples. They went out to the word and changed the world. The qualified young man who was a legal man, Jewish by race, Roman citizen and Greek speaker was thoroughly revolutionized by the power of the resurrection of Christ on his way to Damascus, Syria now.
Paul testified that the power of Jesus is brighter and far more powerful than the sun which is 109 times of the earth (Acts 26:13, 14). In turn, he became the first world evangelist. The power of Jesus has touched more than half of the world’s population today. And it will reach the entire world before the coming of the end as he told us. Therefore, it is important for us to talk a bit about application and bearing of the Resurrection of the Lord as aftermath of the Easter.
1. A Resurrected life
It is a renewed and revitalized life. How do you observe a resurrected life? It is the practice of Christian value in the life of a believer, and like a man living in the mind of Christ. It touches down the aspects of our individual, personal and social life. Holier, cleaner, harder work, honest and quality are the attitudes that can describe a resurrected life. For instance, a student works harder in his studies, a businessman more honest and practices fair means, a second thought before triggering a rifle, and working before a mind to threat and demand. The power of Resurrection will transform corrupted systems in society, government, pubic offices, and social milieus. It will bring quality education to schools, and business with work ethics. It will create a consciousness of standing on holy ground with burning bush ahead of you. Easter 2014 must bear resurrected life.
2. A Waiting life
The final hope of the believers is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He told us to prepare and wait watchfully as he may come imminently. We will rise the way he resurrected. Millions are waiting for his second coming everyday. The tiresome, insecurity and uncertainty, and worrisome of this world is not the end of the believers. This hope is not a karmic or samsara process. Based on your decision (John 11:25), the rapture will be a moment of separation of your body, soul and spirit. Body will turn to dust, soul which is living consciousness (psyche) will cease while the spirit will inherit either eternal life or death depending upon the decision taken during your life time. The blessed are the people who are prepared and waiting. Next to resurrection is waiting.
3. A Mission life
The greatest and last word of the Lord Jesus Christ after his resurrection was world mission when he said ‘Go to all the world and make disciples of all nations...’ (Matt 28:19). He also told us to obey him if we love him (John 14:15). Therefore, the primary responsibility of churches is mission. Mission means reaching people who are yet to be told of the message of eternal salvation. The world practices religious ritualism, and imaginary mechanism to satisfy their inner query and hallucinate inner guilt. But the Truth alone can set the world free (John 8:32,34) and the blood of Jesus alone can cleanse and purify human hearts (Heb 9:22), not by human techniques, ideas, and mystic concept.
A man begins to enjoy inner peace and joy of God only when his heart is free from guilty conscience. Mission means ‘hope to the world’ offering what the world cannot offer. And, therefore, Mission must transcend local priority and convenience of our churches. Resurrection of the Lord and His mission are two sides of a coin. And resurrection means exigency and urgency of mission involvement. The message is that ‘everyone can have salvation on the basis of acceptance of Christ with 100% allegiance.’
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