Yes, we just celebrated Easter last weekend. I understand that Jesus rose from the dead, conquered death and hell and all that (whatever “all that” means). All that happened 2000 years ago.
Here I am, a single Christian in 2019, trying to live out my life. What does it mean to me, practically, that Jesus “rose from the dead”? I need something that’s going to help me now.
In case you don’t know what “all that” means, here is a clear, concise article about the significance of Jesus dying on the cross 2000 years ago: https://activechristianity.org/jesus-die-cross.)
Christians believe, based on the best evidence available, that Jesus rose from the dead the third day after He was unjustly and horrifically executed. History speaks of the resurrection as an established fact. For further investigation, here is an article that summarizes the evidence for the resurrection: https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/resurrection-of-christ.htm
Part of the result of the resurrection is our ability to live in “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Living in newness of life is a big challenge for a lot of Christians, single or married. Yet He says we can live in the power of Jesus’ resurrection if we trust the facts and obey Him. Facts don’t always reflect reality.
The resurrection of Jesus guarantees us several things if we reckon—consider, acknowledge, live as though—those things were true (because they are true).
Let’s talk about seven things Jesus’ resurrection means to us as single followers of the Living God.
- The resurrection means that Jesus can be trusted to keep all His promises. He warned the disciples that He was going to die and be raised to life, but they couldn’t hear it (Matthew 16:21, 17:22–23 & 20:17–19; Mark 8:31–37; Luke 9:22–25). That’s a big promise to keep—to rise from the dead! Since He fulfilled the biggest promise, we know He will keep all the other ones. If He made a promise in His Word, we singles can count on its happening, even if the timing isn’t to our liking.
- The resurrection proved that Jesus’ death as a sacrifice for our sins was accepted by God. Our sins were completely paid for by Jesus’ death because only He could offer a perfect and acceptable sacrifice. God demonstrated His acceptance of that sacrifice by resurrecting Him (Ephesians 1:19–20).
It doesn’t matter if we abused our bodies with drugs or sex, cheated on our former spouses, stole, lied, hated, killed, got proud, callous, jealous or idolatrous—our sins were willingly covered by the blood of Jesus. We never need to wallow in guilt and shame because He took away the penalty of our sins; we need to confess and forsake our sins to be restored to fellowship (Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9). When we get to heaven, not only will our sins be separated from us forever, we will be removed from the presence of all sin forever. Oh, I can’t wait!
- Because He rose from the dead, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us. Jesus told us He had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come to us. Today, we singles have an internal presence living inside us: the Holy Spirit of the Living God. He is the authentic and unstoppable power we need to live a godly life, 2 Peter 1:3. He’s doing an inside job training and transforming us singles, teaching us how to apply His Word in our lives. John 14:16–18
- The presence of God is guaranteed at any and all times. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would “come upon” people, not reside in them. Now that He is living inside us, we have access to the Godhead 24/7.
Any place, any time, we singles can talk to God and He will hear us. Even when we sin, He’s trying to communicate to us what we need to do to get it right and be reinstated back into fellowship. It’s amazing and comforting to have the indwelling presence of God as our permanent resident forever. Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:11
- His purpose in coming to us is the same purpose that is now reflected in our own lives to share with others. He was the perfect example of what righteousness looked like. We can confidently follow His footsteps, praying when we don’t know how to implement the Word in a particular situation.
Luke 4:43 (to preach the gospel);
Luke 5:31-32 (to call sinners to repentance);
Luke 19:10 (to seek and to save those who were lost);
John 6:38 (to do the will of the Father);
John 12:46 (to be the Light in a pitch-dark world);
John 18:37 (to speak the truth);
1 John 3:8 (to obliterate the works of the devil);
Philippians 2:5–8 (demonstrate heaven’s humility);
John 9:39–41 (to declare judgment);
John 1:14 (to display the glory of God);
John 6:38 (to do the will of the Father);
- I can trust the wisdom and sovereignty of God to provide for me. Whether it’s for getting married, finding the perfect career, where to buy a house, or returning to school, we can trust Jesus to give us what we need when we need it, not necessarily when we want it. Psalm 84:11, Philippians 4:19, Romans 8:32, John 15:6
- We have the hope that our physical bodies will be resurrected; we don’t just have a home in heaven. Passages like 1 Corinthians 6:14 and 2 Corinthians 4:14 tell us that God will also raise our mortal bodies in newness of life. Exercise and healthy eating are touted as means of preserving our health. When changes appear as our bodies get older, or when we have a change in our health status, we complain. Rejoice, God’s single! We have a day coming when all those physical limitations will be gone forever. That delights my soul.
I hope this helps relate the resurrection to your life beyond celebrating Easter with a fancy dinner!
