Devotional: Made Alive

What is the meaning of the resurrection? 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 shows us that Jesus rose from the dead to give everyone victory through His victory over death. God did not create robots. He created us with the ability to choose Him. But the world has not used its freedom to choose God. And that resulted in all the ugliness, decay and death in the world that we experience. The ugliness needs to be dealt with. And that’s why God sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to deal with the ugliness from our own choices and to deal with death itself. Christ gives us forgiveness for our wrongs, freedom from sin and death, and fulfillment of our deepest longings. The resurrection of Christ gives us access to eternal life in Christ and a life on earth that is truly, richly alive.

Questions for Meditation

1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:21-22. Who makes resurrection from the dead possible? Who makes all of life and existence possible? Could it be possible that you and I just come from an explosion of nothing?
2. What does “in Adam all die” mean? Has God made us robots or did He give us a chance to choose Him? Where does all the ugliness, decay, and death in the world come from?
3. Do all our wrongs have to be dealt with? What do we need to receive when we have done something wrong to others and ultimately to God?
4. What does forgiveness mean? What are the consequences of not experiencing forgiveness? How can we receive it?
5. Are there areas in your life where you are not living in freedom? Are your handcuffs heavy with suffering or are they golden with the world’s version of happiness? How can you be set free?
6. “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in the Lord.” What does this mean? What can fulfill the deepest longings of your heart? Can anything upset, delay, or overwhelm you if you are resting your life, your heart and your future in Jesus Christ?
7. What does 1 Corinthians 15:22 say about who makes us alive to receive forgiveness, freedom and fulfillment? What does verse 21 say about how Christ accomplished that for us? Can the resurrection of Christ raise you up to eternal life in Christ and make you truly alive in this life as well?