Joy Increased (3): Living the Resurrection Centered Life

Read through Acts and notice all the references to the resurrection, and the fact that the early believers had witnessed that event and/or felt the power and hope of it. No wonder they were full of joy.

I've often thought that C.J. Mahaney's book, Living the Cross Centered Life, needs a companion, Living the Resurrection Centered Life. The early church was a fellowship of the cross and of the empty tomb! Remember that Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 that part of the main thing--that which is of first importance--which we need always to keep in focus is the resurrection of Christ.

The cross of Christ gives us peace; the peace of forgiveness. The resurrection of Christ gives us hope; the hope of power over sin, over death, over all! We would do well to fill our days with reflections on both, and to do so until they move our affections and fill us up with joy.

Have you meditated on the empty tomb, the triumph of the Crucified, and the death of death in the death and resurrection of Christ recently? "Christ the Lord is risen today; Hallelujah!"

Try thinking over this great triumph and all it means without at least having a moment when you're tempted to pump your fist in the air with a thrust of victorious joy and hope. That's one temptation I doubt you can avoid or resist.