Note: All of the verses I have quoted and linked in this blog-post are from the King James Version. For those who may wish to read these verses in more modern English, I personally recommend the New King James Version.
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The fact that Jesus rose from the dead gives me great hope. Indeed, in Revelation, Jesus affirms the fact that He is triumphant over death.
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
Jesus died for our sins and paid the penalty for sin that all of us deserved to pay. (Isaiah 53:5-6). In addition to paying the penalty for sin, Jesus has given us the gift of eternal life with Him (Romans 6:23).
In His death and resurrection, He proved that He has the power to both conquer sin and give us the hope that we also will be resurrected from death to live with Him in heaven.
When Jesus rose form the tomb, He rose in a triumphant, majestic way.
“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men].” Matthew 28:2-4 (KJV)
Notice that the keepers of the tomb shook and “became as dead men” (verse 4) when God’s angel came to call Jesus forth from the tomb. No one could have kept Jesus in the tomb. Jesus is God, and God is so powerful that no one can stop Him from doing the things that He is determined to do. I am so grateful and I feel so comforted in loving, serving and trusting a God who is as loving, determined and powerful as the God of the Bible is.
Just as death could not hold Jesus in the tomb, death can not hold those who have died loving and committing themselves to Jesus in the tomb either.
” But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV).
Having a relationship with Jesus is a wonderful thing. It relieves us of the burden of sin in this world and gives us the hope of eternal life with Jesus. If you haven’t accepted Jesus yet, I want to encourage you to do so now.
“…I invite you to just come to Him as you are, as I have. You may feel scared and ashamed, but Jesus’ arms are open to you. He will not refuse you if you come. He promises not to cast you out if you come (John 6:37). He promises to give you rest if you will come (Matthew 11:28-30). He promises to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
If you don’t know how to pray, that is okay. Here is a sample prayer that you can use, but it is okay and right for you to talk to Jesus as you would respectfully talk to a close friend.
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Dear Jesus,
I want to know You. I know that I am a sinner and I ask Your forgiveness for my sins. Please give me a new heart and help me to be like You. Please help me to know You.
In Jesus Name Amen
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I promise you that Jesus will hear your prayer, and that He will help you.
God says that He loves you (Jeremiah 31:3). He says that He wants to save you and that He can save you (John 3:16). He says that He has created you for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). He says that even when you have messed up, He still wants to sanctify Himself before those who have seen your messes, by living out His holy life through you. This will happens as He changes your heart (Ezekiel 36: 23-27). God says that there will be people from every people group in heaven (Revelation 5:9-10).” (copied and pasted from this blog-post.)
You can have the hope of freedom from all known sins in this life, as well as the hope of living a beautiful, pure and sinless life with Jesus eternally.
Blessings and courage.
Photo credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/jesus-reaching-out-gm182707450-12497376
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