Three Ways the Resurrection Should Change the Way You Live This Week

Yesterday, I had the privilege of baptizing my oldest child, Zoey. There are few greater honors, and this experience reminded me of 3 John 4, which says, "I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth." When asked why she chose baptism, Zoey shared,

Because I love Jesus and feel God is calling me to do this! And just as Jesus died and rose from the dead, I want to die to myself so that Jesus can live in me and I can live with him forever.

Those are some profound words.

Of course, baptism and the resurrection are deeply linked. For in baptism, we symbolically enter the water buried with Christ and emerge raised to new life. It's an outward sign of an inward reality.

On Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate Christ's triumph over the grave. But it's in the aftermath of Resurrection Sunday, the "Monday Christian living" we might say, where our faith is put to the test.

This was a lesson for the early disciples of Jesus. Believing that Jesus had risen from the dead was wonderful, but the true wonder was the dramatic transformation that followed. The resurrection forever changed not just how they believed but how they lived.

As a Christian, because of the resurrection, this week you can:

Live with Hope, Not Fear

The resurrection proves that death doesn't get the final word. As Paul says, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). That means we can face suffering, setbacks, and uncertainty with bold hope. Life may bruise us, but it cannot break us when our confidence is anchored in a risen Savior.

We might lose a key client, our health may go, or someone we love might disappoint us. But nothing can steal the hope we have in Christ.

Live for Eternity, Not Just the Moment

Jesus rising from the grave is a preview of what’s to come for all who believe in him. As Paul writes, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). We’re not just waiting to be raised later. We’re called to live resurrected now.

That means living with a long view, investing in people, purpose, and things that last. It also means resisting the temptation to chase shallow success or immediate gratification because something far greater is coming.

Live with Power, Not Passivity

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:19–20). Too often we settle into a passive faith, assuming that growth or change is slow and out of reach. But resurrection power means we can forgive what feels unforgivable, overcome what once ruled us, and pursue holiness with real strength.

Unfortunately, many Christians speak as though God is alive but operate as though he were dead. As a result, they seldom pray and only live at the limits of their human ability. If that's where you're at today, know that God has more for you.

Celebrating Easter weekend is wonderful. But allow the reality of the resurrection to change the way you live. Let it shape the way you raise your family, operate at work, and spend your time.

Key Challenge –> To start this week, take out a notecard and write down the top five challenges you face. Next to these challenges, write down how the resurrection should change the way you think about them. Then, live what you've written on paper you believe.

Know that I'm rooting for you this week! In fact, if you've got a specific prayer request that you'd like me to add to my prayer wall (blurred out below), send it my way! (ezra@themondaychristian.com)

To me, this newsletter is more than another item on my weekly to-do list. I'm grateful you're a part and want to see you thrive in your walk with God!