"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" - (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Death is a powerful thing. It strikes fear in the hearts of people. It causes a sense of hopelessness and despair that some people cannot get out of. But because Christ is risen from the dead, He has proven Himself victorious over the grave. Therefore, death has lost its power over those who put their trust in Him as their Lord and Saviour!
The sting of death is sin. Its poison is sin. But even sin loses its power over us through the risen Christ! Through humble repentance and faith in the Risen Messiah, we can be set free from the guilt and condemnation that sin brings. And because He is alive and lives in us who have put our trust in Him, we have been set free from sin's power! We are no longer slaves of sin! Let us then serve God faithfully with the new life He has given us through Jesus Christ.
"... knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 6:9-11
THINK ABOUT IT
Are you afraid of death? Why? Reflect more on how Christ's resurrection sets you free from this fear.
TALKING WITH GOD
"Almighty God and Father, Your power knows no bounds. Jesus proved this when He conquered death. Forgive me, Lord, if I succumb to the fear of death. Help me remember what I have in Christ. Let Your love cast away fear from my heart. Empower me to share with others the freedom that the Risen Christ can grant them. In Jesus' Name."
TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE
Many are bound by sin and death. Look around you and let God open your eyes. Pray for friends and loved ones who need to know Christ's liberating power. The power of His resurrection in their lives. Ask God for grace to boldly share the hope that you have in Christ to them.