The Resurrection of Christ

Photo via Flickr:[Martijn Braat]

Today is Easter Sunday. This means that churches all across America will have a spike in their attendance only rivaled by the Christmas service. Churches are filled with those who just want to feel like they have "done their yearly part." However, if we chose to listen to the message being preached across the world today then church attendance would not have spikes. The church as a body would continuously be bringing in new believers, training them, and then sending them out into the world. Jesus does not want us to just do enough, but instead He calls people who are following Him to give everything and to lay down their lives.
Most people doing their part in attending Easter service are not even close to being ready to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is a continuous choice. Christ asks His followers to die daily, which is a continuous choice. We must realize what the gift of Christ's death and bodily resurrection means for us. Christ lived the life that we should have lived and then died the death that we should have died so that the wages of our sin would be paid. Not even death could hold Him. In Christ's resurrection he annihilated the last strong  holds that sin could ever keep over us, death and the grave. Jesus died so that if we choose to follow Him we can again be rejoined with the Father fulfilling our purpose in His plan. Nevertheless, His gift is not one to accept and walk away.
To accept Jesus gift comes with the choice to follow Him. Like Jesus' sacrifice is a payment that keeps on paying, our choice to follow Jesus is a choice that has to be made every day.
Instead of lying choose Jesus in that moment. Instead of cheating choose Jesus in that moment. Instead of lusting choose Jesus. Instead of unrighteous anger. Instead of laziness. Instead of just doing your part. Instead of hate. Instead of jealousy. Instead of ungratefulness. Instead of malice. Instead of you. Choose Jesus.
Christ died so that all those who choose Him can live. In your stead Jesus died for your sanctification. Instead of choosing to ignore him and seek yourself, choose Jesus.
With love for all. Happy Easter.
-Joshua