The Resurrection Happened, Now What?

Christ suffered and died for us. He was resurrected, overcoming sin and death. He redeemed us. He freed us. He saved us. Now what? How are we to respond in our everyday living? We have been given freedom, but what does that freedom allow? Does it allow us to sit on our laurels and just await the second coming of Christ?

Christ talks about the master being away in Matthew 24:42-51,
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

...suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:2-10,
“...you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are ALL children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.”

In II Peter 3, Apostle Peter tells us,
“You must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (v 3-4)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief... what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… (v 8-12)

...(and) since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (v 14)

...(and) since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (v 17-18)

We can see from these passages, that we are to remain alert and be ready for the return of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. But how? Paul provides us with instructive pointers about how to conduct ourselves and live our lives, now that we have been raised with Christ. We find these in Colossians 3 & 4.

Paul tells us:

• Set your hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is... do not focus on the earthly things
• Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry
• Rid yourselves of: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips
• Do not lie to each other
• Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
• Bear with each other and forgive one another
• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts
• Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
• Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus
• Give thanks to God the Father
• Respect one another, whether we are wives, husbands, children, employees or employers
• Do what is right... not only when others see you, but also when no one sees you. And to do it with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
• Devote yourselves to prayer
• Be watchful
• Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity
• Let your conversation be always full of grace

So how are we to respond to the gift of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection? We are to live as children of the light, putting away the old self on a daily basis. We need to be watchful, keep praying, and grow in the knowledge of our Lord. To sum it up, our Messiah was asked in Matthew 22:36-39,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

As long as we measure our thoughts, words and actions against these 2 greatest commandments along with the supporting pointers from Paul, Peter and other great teachers within God’s word, we will be walking within the will of God, and we will be ready, as we await the second coming of our glorious Savior, our Messiah, Jesus Christ.