Editor's Note: Pastor Roger Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople, or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at roger@preachitteachit.org.
Dear Roger,
Everyone gets so excited about Easter. I don't understand why. All they talk about is Jesus coming back from the dead. How does that change my life right now?
Sincerely, Dana
Dear Dana,
Let’s consider some things personally. If you are a follower of Christ, think about the next few statements in terms of your life. If you are contemplating following Christ, then here are some helpful insights into Christianity and the benefits it provides.
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If all Christ did when He died on the cross was to forgive my sins and thus assure me a home in Heaven, then He made me fit for Heaven while leaving me unfit for earth. But the good news of the gospel is that the One who died for my sins rose from the dead to re-inhabit my body so that He in me might be all I need for every possible situation.
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What makes the greatest impact in my life right now is not what He did, or will do, but what He is doing for me right now.
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For me to live is Christ. The Christian life is the enjoyment of all that Christ is. He lives out his life in me.
- The normal Christian life is Christ. It is not doing our best for Christ. What God wants is Christ—living our His life in me.
What difference does the resurrected Christ mean to me? Two things at least!
I am fit to live in heaven: The certainty of everlasting life means that I am fearless in the face of death:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
I am fit to live on earth: The indwelling of Jesus Christ means that I am no longer powerless and alone.
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)
Here in no particular order are some of the benefits that come to those indwelt by the resurrected Jesus Christ:
New birth into the family of God: John 3:1-16
Adoption into the family of God: Romans 8:15
A new nature: Colossians 1:27
Guidance into all truth: John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Acts 8:29; 10:19-20; 13:2-4; 16:6-7; 20:22-23
The Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23
Power for victorious living: Ephesians 3:20; Romans 15:13; Acts 1:8
An intimate relationship with God Himself: John 14:16-17; 16:7; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 13:5
Supernatural, always available comfort: John 14:26
A personal prayer Intercessor at the throne of God: Romans 8:26
Spiritual gifts: 1 Corinthians 12
Enjoyment of a unified community: 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:3-6
An indwelling, personal Teacher of the Bible: John 14:26
Direction regarding conviction of sin: John 16:8
Increasingly sensitive conscience: Romans 9:1
Assurance of inclusion in God’s family: Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Filling with the Spirit: Ephesians 5:18
Ongoing improvement in behavior: Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11
Following Christ is worth it. The benefits are everlasting.
Dr. Roger Barrier retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker, Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his thirty-five-year career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care. His popular book, Listening to the Voice of God, published by Bethany House, is in its second printing and is available in Thai and Portuguese. His latest work is, Got Guts? Get Godly! Pray the Prayer God Guarantees to Answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach It, Teach It, the pastoral teaching site founded with his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier.
Publication date: April 6, 2017
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