Harvest Daily 10/14/04

Harvest Daily Devotional
by Pastor Greg Laurie

October 14
The Power of the Resurrection

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. - Romans 6:8-9

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is among the most important of all biblical truths.  It is foundational.  It is bedrock.  Many other aspects of the Christian faith depend and rest on the Resurrection.  Let me share with you just three essential Christian truths that depend on the Resurrection.

First of all, life beyond the grave depends on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  As the Apostle Paul said, "For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, emphasis mine).  Jesus' victory over death promises us that we too will overcome death. 

Second, God's future judgment of the world rests upon the Resurrection.  As the Apostle Paul preached, "He [God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Christ] whom He has ordained.  He [God] has given assurance of this to all by raising Him [Christ] from the dead" (Acts 17:31, emphasis mine).  This promise reminds us that God will one day right every wrong. 

Lastly, the resurrection of Christ gives us power to live the Christian life.  Romans 8:11 says, "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (emphasis mine).  The Resurrection, therefore, promise us that God will not only give us life beyond the grave, but He will give us power to live the Christian life on earth.

The Resurrection is no peripheral issue.  It provides power to Christianity, freedom from sin, and joy to followers of Christ.

Copyright (c) 2004 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright (c) 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.