RESURRECTION IS ALREADY A REALITY

According to the Apostles Paul and John, the resurrection of the dead will only happen at the end of time. However, they both affirmed in their own way that it already manifests itself in the lives of those who "were born to God", providing communion with the Creator. The separation occurred in the Fall, in the adamic decision, was nullified by the work of Christ. That is why Paul said: "therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5: 1). "Peace" not in the subjective sense (peace of mind), but because, through his sacrifice, Christ has made us, once again, friends of God.

Pauline theology then will affirm that those who receive Christ in their hearts are resurrected to a new life, already in this life. Sin has no more dominion over them, and therefore they must live no longer for themselves, but for God. Look at what the Apostle said to the Romans, "we know that our old self was crucified with him… He died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God... offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life "(6: 6-13).

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said, "but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions… and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus... "(2.4-6). This expression "heavenly realms" occurs five times in Ephesians. It denotes the Pauline emphasis that the union between the Christian and the resurrected Christ enables Christians to already share in the heavenly blessings.

Johannine theology, in turn, will address this question of the effects of the resurrection on Christians from the point of view of eternal life. It is known, according to Genesis, that God created man to live eternally (2:17). However, with the sin of Adam, death entered the human race (Romans5: 12). However, the resurrection of Christ annulled it and restored man to eternal life, again, with God. John, then, based on the of the words of Jesus, affirmed that eternity is already enjoyed (3:36) by those who follow Christ, who will never contemplate death (8.51).

Of course, all Christians will die because the present body is corrupted, but they will not experience eternal death, for they will be resurrected "in the day of the Lord" for eternity with God. John transcribed the following statement of Jesus: "very truly I tel you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24). That is why the Apostle himself declared: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). It is very comforting and liberating when the person consciously understands this teaching and receives it as truth in his heart.

Antônio Maia – M.Div.

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