The Connection between Christ’s Resurrection and our Salvation

The Connection between Christ’s Resurrection and our Salvation

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.2017)

Mankind was created in the image of God in a state of Original Grace. Sin entered the world and this demanded a response because God is Righteous. Righteousness being a part of His character/attribute “requires Him to judge people impartially in accordance to His law” (Cot. 76). True to Himself God provided a means of punishing sin as well as to provide for mankind’s salvation. We see this in His response in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Over time and generations, God worked that plan until the appointed time of the Incarnation (Matthew 1: 18;24-25). Jesus the Son of God would satisfy God’s wrath for sin as He came in answer to God’s promise as the Savior of the world – "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."(Matthew 1:21).

Because of God’s agape love for His creation, we see His love unfold throughout time “in mercy, patience and grace and forgiveness towards sinners” (Cot. 92). His absolute hatred for sin required a penalty. It demanded retribution. Cottrell states “God’s wrath is a constantly burning indignation against all sin, and on specific occasions it bursts forth in acts of consuming judgment” (94). And so because of His rich mercy, because of His great love, while we were dead in our sins and trespasses, He made us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). The absolute demonstration of His love for His creation, while we were still sinners “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The incarnate Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. God gave up His own Son to satisfy the penalty needed for sin. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). So Jesus Christ on the cross suffered and died for all of mankind’s sin. “He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9: 26b)

At His death, through His sacrifice, Jesus became the “the embodiment of sin”. He became the curse delivered in Genesis 3:15. He became a curse for mankind (Galatians 3:13). For a moment, as He was nailed to the cross, His Father forsook Him as He took on the curse, the sin of the whole world. Then before He gave up His Spirit to the Father and died, He declared “It is finished!” (John 19:30). This was absolutely necessary: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:7). Jesus would not be defeated by death. The Apostle Peter spoke to this issue retelling King David’s prophecy “For you will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will you allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27).

The Son of Man would rise from the dead (resurrect) and provide salvation for all who believe. The prophet John said of Jesus “Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1::29). So Jesus was crucified on the cross and died, effecting the required judgment on sin. Now, “No sin a believer can commit – past, present or future can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer. And no sin will ever reverse this divine legal decision” (Macarthur, 1706). Why? Because the death of Christ has freed us! “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).

So how is all this connected to resurrection and salvation? Well, Resurrection is “the cornerstone of the Christian faith” (Moore, 657). It is through Christ’ resurrection that we can obtain our faith, our salvation. “For since by man (Adam)came death, by Man (Christ) also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). This same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the very same power that grants the believer the gift of salvation (Grace) and the power to live a fruit-filled life. His resurrection has “raised us up together, and made us sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:8). Sinful man could not save himself. Christ had to provide a means for that. “For by Grace we are saved through faith…it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:9). The way to Christ, the way to salvation is only through Jesus. The Apostle Paul declared “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved…” (Romans 10:9-10)

Therefore, in Romans 5:10 the Apostle Paul looks back at the grand story of God’s creation and declares “For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”. The believer can be assured that the penalty of sin has been satisfied, making him or her no longer aliens, but part of God’s family. This does not mean “once saved, always saved” through reconciliation. “The child of God continues to be justified, as long as he remains in Christ. Christ died, He rose from the dead, He sent His Holy Spirit to empower believers to live in this present world with the promise of eternal life; and in the meantime, “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in Jesus name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).

References:

1.       Moore, M. The Chronological Life of Christ. United States of America: College Press Publishing (2011)

2.       Macarthur, J. The Macarthur Study Bible. United States of America: Thomas Nelson Publishing (1997)

3.      Cottrell, J. The Faith Once For All. The United States of America: College Press (2002)