Morning, May 10

The whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that "Christ is risen from the dead;" for, "if Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain—you are yet in your sins." The divinity of Christ finds its surest proof in His resurrection, since He was "Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." It would not be unreasonable to doubt His Deity—if He had not risen.

Moreover, Christ's sovereignty depends upon His resurrection, "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living."

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 for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Nay, more, our very regeneration is connected with His resurrection, for we are "Begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

And most certainly our ultimate resurrection rests here, for, "If the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you—He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you." If Christ is not risen—then shall we not rise; but if He be risen—then they who are asleep in Christ have not perished—but in their flesh shall surely behold their God.

Thus, the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the believer's blessings, from his regeneration onwards to his eternal glory—and binds them together. How important then will this glorious fact be in his estimation, and how will he rejoice that beyond a doubt it is established, that "now is Christ risen from the dead!"

"The promise is fulfilled,
Redemption's work is done,
Justice with mercy's reconciled,
For God has raised His Son!"

Courtesy of Grace Gems! Used by permission.