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In the message “He is Risen” we were encouraged to live as though we know Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Please don’t skim past this encouragement because you think all Christians know this simple fact. The challenge is not in knowing the correct answer, but in living consistent with the answer in terms of thankfulness and perseverance – in living a life of hope and power. The following courtroom drama helps us understand the implications of a risen Lord.
The prosecution is aggressively presenting the case against us. There is a parade of witnesses and a multitude of accusations flung our way. Our head hangs low. We sadly realize that no objection can be raised; every charge against us is true. Our heart sinks as the prosecution confidently concludes his case; he has demanded the maximum penalty – death!
Our defense attorney has sat silently through the entire proceeding, but now He rises. His white robe glides across the floor as He moves between us and the Judge. Stretching out His arms, He reveals deep scars on both His wrists. He looks into the eyes of the Judge and says: “Father, while they were in the midst of their crimes, I died so they may live.” Without a moment of hesitation, the gavel sounds and the Judge declares: “Not Guilty!”
The verdict in God’s courtroom is not dependent on the balance of good versus bad. There is no amount of good deeds and moral living that will ever cancel the charge against us; “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And there is only one sentence we truly deserve; “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
But God has provided an Advocate, whom He has already approved by His resurrection, and who now stands ready to walk by our side; “We have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). This Advocate has only one requirement in order to present our case.
Romans 10:9
“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.”
Believing in our heart means much more than simply knowing the story. It means a belief which pumps through every part of our body and gives us life! It means understanding that without Him we have no life!!
We need not live in fear! His Easter resurrection means we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16), because the verdict has already been determined; “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). When we believe, we are free to truly live because our debt has been paid in full!
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
