In 2004 I took my second missions trip to China. One of the clearest memories I have from that trip was a conversation a friend of mine (Travis) and I had with a young man. We had finished sharing the gospel with him and he only asked us one question at the end of it: “Do you really believe that a man rose from the dead?”

I had been a believer for about 4 years and I can honestly say that this is the first time, and maybe the only time, in my life I have been asked this question directly back to me after I have shared the good news of forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ. It was as if time stood still as I genuinely pondered this question. It was as if it wasn’t this young man asking this question, but it was God asking me. I had traveled thousands of miles, 16 hours on several planes, spent several thousand dollars to get myself there and I was asking myself: “Do I really believe the words that are coming out of my mouth?” My answer was yes, and he seemed to pleased enough with my own conviction. We never saw any fruit from this young mans life, but I know that it led to more fruit from mine.

As we bring in a new year my question for us all is the same: “Do YOU really believe that a man rose from the dead?” Such a firm conviction of this truth will do several things:

1.) It will cause you to look at sin in a different way. Sin will no longer being just doing wrong, but falling short of Gods righteousness and seeing how displeasing this is to Him, and to you as well.

2.) It will cause you to be so convinced that the call to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus is so worth it that you are not only willing to do it but desiring to see others do the same.

3.) It will cause you to see your own need for Gods grace, mercy and peace more and more daily and motivate you to treat others as if they need it and that you would be willing to give it.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a great place to start. Spend some time meditating on what the resurrection of Jesus, and all that it means, is meant to do in you, and has done in you and let us “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13)