This last weekend at Lancaster Baptist Church was full of joy as we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. Hundreds of volunteers invested thousands of hours in preparation for the Jesus Saves presentation. The Lord blessed as I preached a gospel message, and many people trusted Christ as their Savior. It was thrilling to be part of, and we look forward to following up with these new Christians this week.
Today, however, is not Easter. In fact, it is a very ordinary day—full of the usual duties of any other weekday, faced with the added fatigue of a full weekend.
Yet, Christ is as risen today as He was on Sunday! Should not the resurrection influence today with as much power as it did yesterday?
What does the resurrection of Christ mean for us on a non-Easter day? How should we live every day of the week?
In my recent devotions, three truths stood out to me concerning how those who know Christ as their risen Saviour should live—every day of the week. Each of these Old Testament commands are amplified through New Testament promises—promises of which we are assured because we serve a risen Saviour!
How should we live every day of the week in light of the resurrection of Christ?
Live in the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.—Proverbs 14:27
Some have called it “practicing the presence of God.” Indeed, Christ is with us—every moment of every day. Living in the awareness of God’s presence keeps us from sin, and it brings rest to our souls.
Christ has promised to never leave or forsake us. We can be assured of the constant presence of our living Saviour.
…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.—Hebrews 13:5–6
Live under the shadow of the Almighty.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.—Psalm 91:1
All of us have times when we feel weak and vulnerable and in need of a protector. At such times, we often remember a promise such as the one above. Yet, in truth, we always need a Protector. This is why we are to dwell in the secret place of the most High—not just to run there only in times of trouble.
As Christ’s disciples, we are to abide in Christ. Abiding in Him is not only an acknowledgment of our weakness, but it brings confidence and joy to our lives.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me….If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.—John 15:4, 7
Live pleasing to the Lord.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.—Proverbs 16:7
As Bible-believing Christians, we know that we are to live in a way that is pleasing unto the Lord. We want our ways to please Him.
Following a risen Saviour, however, adds an extra dimension to this. Beyond our basic accountability to God for our actions and lifestyles, we want to live for Him. We want to live in light of eternity. We want to share the gospel with the lost and occupy until He comes so that when we give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will hear the words, “Well done.”
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.—2 Corinthians 5:9–10
