40 "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Amazing love! The Father’s heart yearns - most certainly - to give. Any and all who look to His Son with interest, purpose and careful observation - thereby subsequently placing their trust and faith in Him - will be given life effervescent both now and eternally and be made to stand. God is not looking for blind faith from us; Jesus’ followers are required to look closely, to behold Him. Destiny is secured for the seeing believer, insured by Divine decree. Paul tells us in Romans:
To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 (NIV)
“Jesus has forced open a door that had been locked since the death of the first man...Everything is different because He has done so.” C.S. Lewis
In I Corinthians 15, clearly the “Resurrection Chapter” of Scripture, Paul provides for us proof, power and pattern of our own resurrection through the bodily resurrection of Jesus. He begins with the following Truth giving proof to Jesus’ death and resurrection:
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Cor 15:3-8 (NIV)
Christ died for our sins, He was buried and He was raised – all verified by historical evidence and eyewitness accounts of His majesty. These verses present for us the heart of the gospel. To make his point even stronger, Paul adds the fact that the gospel message would be lifeless if Christ had not been raised – our faith being futile and without success – and thereby demonstrating God’s ultimate power.
“No resurrection, no Christianity” Michael Ramsey
14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Cor 15:14 (NIV)
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 1 Cor 15:16-17 (NIV)
Scripture tells us that apart from Christ we remain dead in our sin – as death came through a man – Adam - so also resurrection life came through the fully God/fully man – Jesus – giving forth to us the glorious pattern:
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Cor 15:21-22 (NIV)
45 So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 1 Cor 15:45-47 (NIV)
“Only two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” Larry Crabb
“For the love of God is broader than the measures of man’s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” Frederick William Faber
The promise is life to the full both now and eternally for those who look to God’s Son and believe. As we turn to Him, He will have mercy on us and freely pardon – the Lord requires our trust in Him:
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)
“Faith is reason at rest in God.” C. H. Spurgeon
“Luther was right: the root behind all other manifestations of sin is compulsive unbelief—our voluntary darkness concerning God, ourselves, his relationship to the fallen world and his redemption purpose... If the fall occurred through embracing lies, the recovery process of salvation must center on faith in truth, reversing this condition.” Richard Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life