Many Christians today know and believe that Jesus Christ was crucified for them. But the greatness of Christianity does not stop at the cross. The greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that something special happened after Jesus’ death. Something occurred which had never happened to any other human being. God raised Jesus Christ from the dead to die no more—Jesus Christ is risen! Forty days later God ascended him into heaven and set him at His own right hand (Ephesians 1:20). The resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ provided mankind a new way to live, making those who believe sons of God—a position of power and completeness.
As sons of God, we can begin to appreciate all that we have received when we contrast where we were with where we are now. Where we once walked according to the course of this world (Ephesians 2:2), we now walk in the light as God is light (I John 1:7). Where we once were children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), we are now children of God (I John 3:1). Where we were once sinners, we are now righteous and made free (Romans 5:19). As a result of Jesus Christ’s sacrificing himself and God’s raising him from the dead to die no more, we can now walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4:
Therefore we are [were] 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.
When Christ was raised up from the dead and seated at God’s own right hand, we were raised up and seated with him in a position of power and completeness. Ephesians describes our position of power.
Ephesians 1:19-21:
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 2:6:
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Since we are seated with Jesus Christ, we are also far above all principalities and power.
Colossians 2:10:
And ye are complete in him [Christ], which is the head of all principality and power.
We are far above all principality and power, risen with and complete in Christ, walking in newness of life. With this new position of power and completeness, there is no need for fear, worry, or frustration. Instead, we can live with authority, boldness, and power. With this new position of power and completeness, we no longer have to identify with thoughts of condemnation, mistakes, or failures. But rather, we can live victoriously in our thoughts and in our actions with a new quality of life. God has made it possible by way of His Son, Jesus Christ, to live without having to carry around negatives of any kind.
Colossians 3:1,2:
If [Since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
When we believe who we are in Christ, making this reality greater than the reality of where we were, and when we live our lives according to our new nature as God’s children, walking in that newness of life we’ve been given, we are demonstrating in the senses world that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Spiritually, we are risen too! So let’s live our lives the way God intended for us to live—in the spiritual realities of Christ’s accomplishments—because he is risen!