Living the Resurrection Now

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You are already raised up with the risen Jesus—right now, by faith.
Heaven is not just then and there when Jesus returns on the Last Day.
Heaven is here and now by faith in the risen Jesus.

When you experience the embrace of a loved one—heaven is here.
When you experience the joy of learning a new skill—heaven is here.
When you experience the peace of sins forgiven—heaven is here.

This is what St. Paul is getting at in Romans 6. At first, it may seem as though Paul is simply building toward hope in the resurrection on the Last Day, when heaven fully comes to earth. That’s true—we do yearn for that Day.

Yet Paul reveals something even more profound:
In baptism, resurrection power is yours now.
By faith, given in baptism, you get to walk in “newness of life” today.
How cool is that?!

The author of Hebrews gives us another benefit of Jesus’ resurrection: it equips us to know and do the will of God—to live in ways that are pleasing in His sight.

So, what is pleasing to God? What is His will?
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 tells us:

• Rejoice always. God is worthy of our joy and praise.
• Pray without ceasing. Jesus is near—ask for His care and presence.
• Give thanks in all circumstances. Live a life of gratitude. Every day is a gift from the living God—another opportunity to bring His light and life into a dark and dying world.

Here’s the closing question:
How different would your daily life be if you always recognized you were already raised up with the living Jesus?

It’s true. You are alive in the risen Jesus—right here and now.
Heaven is here.
By faith, walk in the newness of resurrection life today.