July 19, 2004

THE ABOLISHER OF DEATH

"According to His own purpose and grace which... has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:9, 10, NKJV).

When the mighty angels visited the garden tomb on that memorable morning, broke the seal, and rolled the stone away, out stepped Jesus of Nazareth, alive and victorious! By that momentous act, He abolished death and destroyed it forever.

As the abolisher of death, Christ has set us free from the fear and bondage of death. When He arouse from the grave, a power, stronger and mightier than death, was manifested before the universe. Christ's role as the abolisher of death changed forever the Christian's outlook on the future. The abolition of death has "brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10, NKJV). Literally, Christ's resurrection has abolished death and has thereby turned on the light.

Because death has been abolished, our former sense of futility has been replaced by a grand purpose; cheer has taken the place of our despair. Our hopelessness has been transformed into the blessed hope, and our doubts have been replaced by the certainty of salvation. We can face the future unafraid, confident, and victorious!

In Christ, the abolisher of death, we can look to the future with joyous anticipation and assurance. Thank God, He is risen! Death is conquered; we are free! "As God raised Christ from the dead, that He might bring life and immortality to light through the gospel, and thus save His people from their sins, so Christ has raised fallen human beings to spiritual life, quickening them with His life, filling their hearts with hope and joy."--In Heavenly Places,
p. 7.

My Prayer Today: Lord, by abolishing death through the resurrection, You have turned on the light to life and immortality. Thank You for the light. Amen.