Five Ways Christ Matters
Written by Sherri Bergmann
On Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, we recognize and celebrate that Christ triumphed over death, that God raised Him from the dead, and that He’s alive for eternity.
What does this really mean for us?
1. He conquered death, so we can, too.
Death in the spiritual sense: When we turn away from Christ and do what we want to do instead of what He wants us to, we decay mentally and spiritually. But because He is alive, He lives in us if we let Him. The more we grow in Him, the more He grows in us, and we are spiritually alive and flourishing.
Death in the physical sense: Christ overcame Death, so we can overcome it, too. If we give our lives to Him, when we die, we will be raised up, just like he was, and live in eternity with Him.
2. We have less worry. If we follow Him, pray, and develop a close relationship with him, He hears us and draws close to us. He guides us. As we follow Him, we’ll avoid traps that can ensnare us. In Him, we are free. If we stray from Him we’ll have more reasons to worry.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Proverbs 28:1
3. We have a comforter, a helper. Jesus knew His disciples would feel lost without Him and when He knew the time was close to be crucified, he told his disciples, “But the Helper, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your
remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) We have that same help with the Holy Spirit in us to guide us as we navigate through life. This assures us we aren’t alone.
When we need help, and hope for something, and aren’t sure of what or how to pray, Romans
8:25-26 says, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same
way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the
Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
As Jesus walked and advised others, we have this same help now to remember His words at the
right time, and to make sound decisions and walk on level ground.
4. We develop fruit. As we grow in Him, and strengthen ourselves in Him, we develop the fruits of His Spirit, which grow stronger in us as we remain in Him: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. The desires we have of the world grow dim as our desires for Him grow brighter.
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may
have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:13
5. We have real peace. As fears rise from riots, shootings and hatred in the world that shake us up, those in Christ have a profound peace knowing their help comes from Him, and that He is in control. Satan stirs up storms, Christ calms them.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26–27)
“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with
thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
What it really means to have Christ alive now is that we have a real, living relationship with Him. He came to earth to live with us. He died to live in us. One day He’ll call us home to be with Him for eternity.
His presence matters in us now, down to the finite moments of our lives. How we respond to someone. How we approach someone. The decisions we make. Our dark times when we need His light. His strength when we feel weak. His guidance if we lose our way.
His mercies are new every morning. Each day is a new opportunity to walk with Him and experience His difference in us, and with others, because He’s alive.
On Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, we recognize and celebrate that Christ triumphed over death, that God raised Him from the dead, and that He’s alive for eternity.
What does this really mean for us?
1. He conquered death, so we can, too.
Death in the spiritual sense: When we turn away from Christ and do what we want to do instead of what He wants us to, we decay mentally and spiritually. But because He is alive, He lives in us if we let Him. The more we grow in Him, the more He grows in us, and we are spiritually alive and flourishing.
Death in the physical sense: Christ overcame Death, so we can overcome it, too. If we give our lives to Him, when we die, we will be raised up, just like he was, and live in eternity with Him.
2. We have less worry. If we follow Him, pray, and develop a close relationship with him, He hears us and draws close to us. He guides us. As we follow Him, we’ll avoid traps that can ensnare us. In Him, we are free. If we stray from Him we’ll have more reasons to worry.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Proverbs 28:1
3. We have a comforter, a helper. Jesus knew His disciples would feel lost without Him and when He knew the time was close to be crucified, he told his disciples, “But the Helper, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your
remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) We have that same help with the Holy Spirit in us to guide us as we navigate through life. This assures us we aren’t alone.
When we need help, and hope for something, and aren’t sure of what or how to pray, Romans
8:25-26 says, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same
way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the
Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
As Jesus walked and advised others, we have this same help now to remember His words at the
right time, and to make sound decisions and walk on level ground.
4. We develop fruit. As we grow in Him, and strengthen ourselves in Him, we develop the fruits of His Spirit, which grow stronger in us as we remain in Him: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. The desires we have of the world grow dim as our desires for Him grow brighter.
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may
have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:13
5. We have real peace. As fears rise from riots, shootings and hatred in the world that shake us up, those in Christ have a profound peace knowing their help comes from Him, and that He is in control. Satan stirs up storms, Christ calms them.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26–27)
“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with
thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
What it really means to have Christ alive now is that we have a real, living relationship with Him. He came to earth to live with us. He died to live in us. One day He’ll call us home to be with Him for eternity.
His presence matters in us now, down to the finite moments of our lives. How we respond to someone. How we approach someone. The decisions we make. Our dark times when we need His light. His strength when we feel weak. His guidance if we lose our way.
His mercies are new every morning. Each day is a new opportunity to walk with Him and experience His difference in us, and with others, because He’s alive.
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