clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
There is no doubt that Jesus Christ, God incarnate, lived on the earth to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of heaven. He preached to turn the hearts of humanity to God the Father.
After ministering for about three years, He was crucified and buried, but on the third day He was raised from the dead. That is resurrection, demonstrating power and victory over death, thereby proving His deity.
Today, most Christians celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection. But what is the essence of this celebration? The main reason for which Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection should be the main reason He came into the world.
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15).
In his teaching to Timothy, Paul stated clearly the Lord Jesus came into the world, died and resurrected mainly to SAVE SINNERS from eternal destruction and damnation.
Christ did not come into the world to suffer the way He did so people can have money to buy cars, jets, build mansions, have expensive wardrobe, own companies and live sickness-free and flamboyant lifestyles.
As I said in a previous article, it is not a sin to enjoy the things aforementioned, but these are not what Christ chiefly died for. And true ministers of Christ are not called to preach and teach for people to have these things.
However, the message of Jesus Christ dying to save people from their sins seems unimportant to many men of God in our generation. Some say the message of the cross is fundamental.
But it is not fundamental. It is the main thing around which every preaching and teaching must spin. Take the preaching of the cross of Christ away from a church and you will be a member of a social club.
Now, today’s Christians must not mark Christ’s death, burial and resurrection by religiously wearing black clothes and carrying crosses to mourn Him.
However, believers must understand that marking the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is marking redemption from sin, deliverance from bondage, dominion over Satan and salvation from eternal death.
Christians must celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead with a firm assurance, conviction, awareness that they have been saved from sin and its eternal destruction.
Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is making a bold announcement that believers who die in Christ have hope of being resurrected on the last day.
Again, celebrating the resurrection of Christ Jesus is celebrating victory over sin, Satan and eternal death which is eternal separation from God.
Sin shall not have dominion over a born again Christian but righteousness. Thus, a child of God is a slave to righteousness for the glory of God.
By James Quansah
