Because He Lives

Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ… 1 Peter 1:3 and 3:21

The resurrection of Jesus is so important, Peter mentions it twice.  First in 1:3: 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… And again, in 3:21: there is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism, not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The resurrection of Jesus is so important, Paul speaks of it often. Notice how Paul ties our salvation to the resurrection of Jesus, Romans 5:10: For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Think of it! We were not only reconciled to God by the death of Jesus, we were saved from His wrath, Romans 5:9: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Paul speaks of the resurrection again with regard to His second coming, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10: and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 

This speaks of you. You have turned from serving other gods to serving the living and true God. While you serve, you are waiting for His return from heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God. Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Amen.