What is the impact of the resurrection, and why does it matter?
The life of every human being is a finite life. Every human that has ever existed has died (1). Eventually, the impact of such a mortal human also dies; whether this requires a year or thousands of years, the impact of each mortal life is erased. When viewed in the context of infinite time, one could ask, "has any human ever lived?". A finite life-span of years divided by an infinite number of years equals zero.
If we only have a finite life-span, then everything else humanity may be concerned with (virtue, morals, ethics, goodness, evil, etc.) becomes irrelevant and futile. If we only have a finite life-span, then each of us and all those we see are in reality just the walking dead. Dead humans cannot rescue themselves or overcome the fear of death. This fear subjects all of humanity to lifelong slavery.
Death is an unmovable boundary, which every human encounters and every human must deal with. Humanity requires a human champion to overcome this enemy which imprisons us. Why a human champion? Death infected all of humanity through the transgression, the disobedience, of one man. One righteous act of obedience by one human man, Jesus Christ, resulted in justification and everlasting life which is available as a gift for all of humanity. As if this weren't enough, those who accept this free gift of love (which some reject), will REIGN (rule with sovereign authority) in life through this one man, Jesus Christ! (2)
The immeasurable mighty power of God raised (resurrected) the man Jesus Christ, from the dead. The kinetic power of this resurrection has not dissipated at all, but continues to reverberate through all creation. Those who accept the free gift of life from God through Jesus Christ will experience the power of the resurrection by way of the indwelling gift of holy spirit. It is through the indwelling gift of holy spirit that we are able to reign in life.
Hebrews 2:14–15
[14] Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself (Jesus Christ) likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
[15] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (ESV)
Conclusion
This is how anyone can partake of the free gift of everlasting life and receive the gift of holy spirit:
Romans 10:9–13
[9] because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [11] For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew (those who are of the bloodline of Abraham, through Isaac) and Greek (Gentile); for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (ESV)
Jesus Christ is ALIVE! You can live because he is ALIVE! Receiving this new resurrection life is just the beginning. Your life, and the impact of your life will last forever!
2024 Keith Radcliffe
(1) The corporate Christian religion has a popular teaching that there are a couple of men who never died. I correct this error in another essay: You Will Not Surely Die - Part 3
(2) See Romans chapter 5
Thanks to all who read the essay and restacked!