Many religions claim that they are worshiping God but none of them can claim that their “Messiah” was resurrected from the dead. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was resurrected from the dead. Five hundred people saw Jesus Christ, the true living God, after he was resurrected. These eye-witness accounts along with Jesus’ disciples’ encounters with Jesus after his resurrection support this biblical truth.
Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples who was not there when Jesus first appeared to his disciples after his resurrection no longer doubted after Jesus appeared and spoke to him: “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:27-28, NIV). Over a period of forty days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive and spoke to them about the kingdom of God.
If Jesus Christ had not been resurrected from the dead, we would not have the gift of salvation. Faith would be futile as there would be nothing to believe in. But because of our Heavenly Father’s great love for us, Jesus died and was resurrected from the dead in order to make the gift of salvation possible. Whoever believes in His Son will have eternal life and not perish. It is with this belief that all disciples in Christ are to share the gospel and the gift of salvation with those around them. Jesus did all the redemptive work at the cross through his suffering, bloodshed and death for all of our sins. When we believe in Jesus, we identify with him in his death where we are dead to our old sinful natures; and we identify with him in his resurrection where we are reborn into the family of God and made clean by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross.
Even after we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have been forgiven of all our sins, we are not immune to temptation. We can overcome all temptation when we have a strong prayer life and walk closely with the Lord by living out the Word of God. There are many Christians who pray only when things are going wrong in their lives but in order to live an abundant Christian life, we need to speak with God daily through heart-felt prayers and to study and meditate on His Word.
If your idea of prayer is to pray a quick prayer in the morning and in the evening before you go to bed, then you are missing out on having a personal relationship with God. God wants you to rely on Him for everything. When you pass the reins over to Him, He will never steer you wrong. He knows what is best for you even when you yourself don’t know. Pray to your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus about what is on your mind no matter what it is and expect to hear from Him.
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