The resurrection of CHRIST is the very basis upon which the hope of the sons of GOD rests. If CHRIST be not raised then all of the expectations of the redemption and salvation which HE came to bring, are all nothing more than an illusion and none of HIS promises could be true. HIS claims of being the GIVER of eternal life, would be false, if HE had not the power to lay down HIS life and then take it up again as HE said. “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Rom 1:4)
The greatest enemy of the sons of GOD is that death which they are made partakers of in the first Adam who passed his sin to everyone of his posterity. The resultant curse of this sin is death, from whence there is no escape since the law demands that every soul who sins should die the death appointed by it. In order for a man to escape its clutches, he must be completely and totally without sin of any kind, for the “wages of sin is death”.
More importantly, if he should pay the wages of sin, he must be able to triumph over it in his mortal body, or else he could not in any wise escape it and enjoy the benefits of that kingdom of righteousness in which none but the righteous shall enter. The performance of this task is completely impossible, for any who are worthy of that death and are in fact dead already, for death itself would have to be destroyed in order for such to occur.
Thus did that glorious SUBSTITUTE, completely without sin of HIS own, take upon HIMSELF the sin of HIS elect bride, tasting death for her, paying her debt completely and then taking death itself by the throat and extinguishing its very power to destroy by triumphing over it. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15) “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (Rom 6:9-10) “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb 2:14-15)
Therefore the glorious message of the gospel is found in the declaration of HIS complete and utter triumph over all of the enemies of the elect of GOD, death itself being the chief. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2Tim 1:9-10)
Thus the sons of GOD are “enlightened” by the same power that raised CHRIST from the dead, and caused, thereby, to hear the glorious good news of the gospel. This ministers to them that “hope of HIS calling.”“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.” (2Thes 2:16)
This “hope of HIS calling”, is that which has CHRIST as its MESSAGE and MESSENGER.. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” (Heb 3:1)
This “hope of HIS calling:”, can only be heard by those who are appointed and prepared to hear it and is administered by HIM to them. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)
The “hope of HIS calling” is that which testifies of the “riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints”. By HIS redemptive work declared by the power of HIS resurrection HE has procured for HIS people the privilege of being made “heirs and joint heirs with CHRIST”. “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Tit 3:7)
This “inheritance” is first HIS by reason of that covenant of redemption wherein HE claimed that which was rightfully HIS, given to HIM by HIS FATHER. “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psa 2:7-8)
This possession which is rightfully HIS, both by HIS own covenant and by the purchase of HIS own blood, HE has been pleased to make HIS elect the inheritors of all of its benefits. “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal 3:29) “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.”(Heb 6:17)
Thus HIS inheritance is manifested in the “saints of GOD”, that precious possession, and thereby they are made partakers of the riches of that which they are the exact object of. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1Cor 2:9-10) This is not speaking of some future blessing but rather that which is revealed by HIS SPIRIT to the sons of GOD in the present tense. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph 1:3) This is the riches of HIS glory in the saints.
How could those who are dead in trespasses and sins ever be the inheritors of such mercy and the riches of HIS grace? By the operation of the same power which raised CHRIST from the dead. That same SPIRIT which quickened the dead body of our LORD is the same ONE who visits HIS people at the appointed time and gives them a “birth from above” according to the mighty working of HIS power. Thus HE brings the dead to life and grants faith to believe that which HE is pleased to deliver to them.
This is beyond the scope of man’s imagination and the reality of this new birth cannot be comprehended by any except those upon whom HIS mercy is bestowed. This is the “exceeding greatness of HIS power”. “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” (Hab 1:5)
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor 2:14-16)
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