In Celebration Of Our Lord’s Resurrection
“In the beginning was the Word – and the Word was with God – and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God.” “And the Word was made flesh – and dwelt among us – and we beheld His glory – the glory as of the only begotten of the Father – full of grace and Truth.” [Jn.1:1-2, 14]
“…whose names were not written — in the Book of the Life of the Lamb – slain — from the foundation of the world. (9) If any man have an ear – let him hear.” [Rev.13:8-9]
“And being fully persuaded – that what He had promised – He – was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now – it ws not written for his sake alone – that it was imputed to him, (24) but for us also – to whom it was imputed – if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) who – was delivered for our offences – and was raised again – for our Justification.” [Rom.4:21-25]
(Lit.) “Having been justified – therefore, – by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) by whom also – we have access by faith – into this grace wherein we stand – and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” [Rom.5:1-2]
“Therefore – we are buried with Him – by baptism into death: – that like as Christ was raised up from the dead – by the glory of the Father – even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death – we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection…” [Ro.6:4-5]
(17) “But God be thanked, – that ye were the servants of sin – but ye have obeyed from the heart – that form of doctrine – (lit.) unto which – ye were delivered! (18) Being then made free from sin – ye became – the servants of righteousness!” [Ro.6: 17-18]
(20) “For when ye were servants of sin – ye were – free from righteousness!” [Ro.6:20]
(22) “But now – being made free from sin – and become servants to God – ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end – everlasting life! (23) For the wages of sin is death – but the gift of God – is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Ro.6:22-23]
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is a divine event that is to be celebrated by all the truly born from above sinner/children in this present passing away world! The above 8 contexts serve to draw a picture why this is true. First of all – He who is the Living Word of God was purposed from eternity – in His incarnation – to come into this world – to be the Savior and Substitute of all of His people. And, second, the names of each one of these – His saved ones – are written the “Book of the Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World”.
The third context refers to what the Word of God says concerning Abraham – unto whom our Lord promised that through him — the example that He was going to make of him — He was going to bless all the families of the earth! He did not tell Abraham that all the persons of all the families – but, at least one of all the families — will be included among all the sinners who have been Saved by Grace! What an incredible promise! [see: Gen.12:3]. Only God Almighty, could possibly purpose and perform such a promise as this! Hence, the resurrection of Christ is very aptly alluded to – as well as all of His Seed – who are the children of the Kingdom of God [see: Mt.13:37-38].
This leads quite naturally into the fourth context. The final words of the third context having declared unto us that the Lord Jesus was raised again – specifically — for our Justification. This sets up nicely the literal wording of Rom.5:1-2 – which actually says: “Having been Justified – therefore – by faith we have Peace with God – through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Which naturally leads us into the wonderful truth of vs.2 – which describes our rejoicing — of the sovereign grace in which we stand!
In the fifth context we come into the sixth chapter of Romans. Whereupon we are rightly identified with Christ – our Sovereign Substitute and Savior – in His death and resurrection! What’s so special about the context of Rom.6:4-5 – is the truth that the Son of God – upon whom all the sins of all whom the Father had given unto Him to save – put Him into hell fire on the cross – and it was eternally covenanted that the glory of the Father would bring to factual reality – the resurrection of His Beloved Son – in whom He was well pleased! And, vs.5 of this fifth context (five being the Biblical number of Grace) declares of us – “If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death – we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Praise His name!
The sixth context describes: That only God is to be thanked – the we whom He has chosen to save were bond slaves (servants) of our sin – but by grace we have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (known to be the Word of the Truth of the Gospel) – lit. – unto which we were delivered!
This is the way the Word of God literally says it! And, this is how – by God’s grace – we are converted into becoming bondslaves of His righteousness over against being nothing but bondslaves to our sin. Again, praise the Lord!
The seventh context simply says the truth – “For when we were bondslaves of sin – we were free from righteousness.” Remember, without Christ – there is none righteous – no not one! [see: Ro.3:10].
Finally, the eighth context brings to completion the wonderful work of the Grace of God on our behalf when it declares from Rom.6:22-23 the truth of the matter that says: “But now – being made free from sin – and become bondslaves to God – ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end – ever-lasting life! For the wages of sin is death – but the free gift of God – is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Praise the Savior!!
— John Carpenter
