in Christ, life is good and productive, and death is transformed into gain. In Christ, we’re given a new commission to live for the one who died for us, and new confidence to die for the one who lives for us.
God doesn’t just preserve us by putting a big, plexiglass dome over the sapling of our faith – but he preserves us by growing our faith into a mature tree, that can withstand windstorms and winters.
Jesus is the one who steps into our context of sin, death and destruction. He’s the one who confirms God’s grace to his people, who rebuilds what was lost, and who once again secures God’s blessing and presence for his people.
God will keep his promise. Because Jesus has suffered, we will be saved. Our pain will be turned into praise.
We, of course, need to watch out for false teachers out there – on social media, in other churches, and so on – but that’s not all. We also need to watch ourselves.
If Christ is able to give us hope and new life in the midst of death, he is able to give us hope and life in every life situation.
As we groan in the present, let's groan with hope. For God has prepared future glory for each of his children, and we will not be disappointed.