The resurrection offer is just that – a free gift for the taking.
While many Christians look to the death and resurrection of Jesus as something holy, do they look at it as something precious and something to hold onto closely, like their wallet or purse for example? Jesus is our hope and our way into a promised future that is likened to mansions and treasure in the Bible. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46 RSV).
Will You Accept Christ’s Precious Gift to Us?
A pearl of great value. What an offer. Who does not appreciate gifts of great value? Christ has given us something precious, but what value do we put on it? Would we leave all, like Abraham did? In the book of Matthew, there was a rich young man, who kept the commands of God and he asked Jesus, what do I lack? You see Jesus wanted this young man to commit to him, follow him, and put the free gift first. He wanted him to treat the promise of eternal life as his most prized possession. Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Sadly, this young man liked his worldly goods more than treasure from heaven. How about you, will you accept this offer or do you hold other things as more valuable? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”(1 Peter 1:3). We are given an opportunity, the same one Adam had in the garden: eternal life. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4 ).
In His Resurrection, Jesus Paid the Penalty for Sin
Jesus paid the penalty for sin, and He expects us to no longer live a sinful life, but walk in newness of life. While man tends to trip up, and fall from time to time, he must strive for the prize. The Bible says when we fall short, we have an advocate, a way into the presence of the Father, where we may repent and be forgiven. A place where God forgives because mercy reins. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for his own Possession who are zealous for good work (Titus 2:11). A Righteous man knows his goal, the kingdom, in fact he prays thy Kingdom come. He does not pray for God to save this world as he knows this world is passing away, along with all perishable things like silver and gold.
Accepting the Resurrection Offer is All That Matters
Paul explains what we must grasp and hold dear. First he explains that all he did and had was worthless to him, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Phil 3:7-14). Unlike the rich man, Paul understood the Resurrection offer. In today’s world, your worldly treasures and accomplishments and good deeds mean nothing if you don’t walk with Jesus and accept his resurrection offer.
Grace, mercy and life everlasting is available for you, what a precious gift to be offered. All we need to do is repent and be baptized, that is to say, walk in the newness of Life. Join Greater Phoenix Church of God in worship on Saturdays at 10:30am.