1 Corinthians 15:12-20 – “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up — if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  NKJV

Gloria Gaither wrote an incredibly powerful song at the birth of their son called, “Because He Lives.” Truly, because Jesus lives, we can!  We can face the future without fear and in perfect peace because He has risen from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and now makes intercession for us.  Because He lives I can…

FACE LIFE…

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Therefore, the three days we need to concern ourselves with are “yesterday, today, and tomorrow”. 

Yesterday – – is history so fretting over it is futile.  It is history and what is written is written. Worrying about what might have been will not change what is or will be. 

Tomorrow – – has not yet come and might not come therefore concerning ourselves, with it is without redeeming value.  Our Lord confirmed that by telling His followers to “take no thought of the ‘morrow…”  He was not counseling them to fail to do any planning or preparation but to not be overwhelmed with what might be. 

Today – – The only day we should focus on is TODAY for as the Bible declares in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”   Today is the moment in life that we should devote our attention to.  Today is the day of salvation.  Today determines tomorrow in our lives.  Because He lives, we can face today and life.

REJECT WORRY…

Jesus instructed His followers in Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”  NKJV

We can live in peace and confidence that God is at work on our behalf and in our best interest at all times.  Remember in Romans 8:28 we are told – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” NKJV Because He lives, we can live worry free!

FACE DEATH…

Death to the unbeliever is finality and painfully troubling.  Although few truly yearn for death the believer is so completely confident in the promise of eternity death holds no terror.  The difference in how we face death is Jesus Christ.  If we have received Him as our personal savior death has no sting.  If we have not, then death brings fear to our hearts as a terrorist’s threat of destruction.  Because He lives, I can face death without fear.

FACE ETERNITY…

The Bible makes it clear that judgment is real.  Heaven is real.  Hell is real.  All will stand before God and give account.  The covering of the Blood of Jesus is essential and His presence at the Judgment Bar defending us before the Father is vital and affords incredible comfort as we face eternity.  Because He lives, we can long for our eternal destiny rather than live in fear.

May the Lord be with you and may your heart leap for joy as you consider the power of the truth that He Lives!   Blessings!