If you’re going to have a belief system, a spirituality, or an ideology, it seems only logical that you’d want to believe in something that isn’t… dead. If I’m going to build my life on something, I’d rather it not end at a tombstone.
That’s why the heart of the Christian faith is so different: Jesus is alive.
Every other world religion has prophets, teachers, or spiritual leaders who all share one thing in common—they died, and they stayed dead. But Jesus Christ rose from the grave. That changes everything.
The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in 2 Timothy 2:8–13 (ESV):
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.”
Why Resurrection Is Central
Paul begins with the word remember—because we’re prone to forget. We can’t afford to treat the resurrection as just an Easter Sunday theme. Without it, Christianity becomes just another good moral framework. But with it, everything changes: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and a relationship with the living God.
Jesus didn’t just come to inspire with miracles and parables; He died, and He rose again. And Paul says that’s the heart of the gospel.
What Is the Gospel?
.The word gospel simply means “good news.” But what is this good news? It’s more than just a feel-good message—it’s the announcement that:
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Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV).
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He lived the perfect life we could not live (Hebrews 4:15, ESV).
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He died on the cross for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved (Romans 5:8, ESV).
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He rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death forever (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, ESV).
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Through Him, we are offered forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life (John 3:16, ESV).
That’s the gospel. That’s the good news worth sharing.
Suffering Comes With the Territory
Paul adds, “for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9, ESV).
Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee an easy life. Paul literally ended up in prison because of the gospel. But he knew something important: you can chain Paul, but you can’t chain the gospel.
The good news of Jesus is unstoppable. Even if the messenger is silenced, the message keeps spreading.
Endurance and Dying to Self
Paul goes on: “If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:11–12, ESV).
Dying to ourselves—our selfish desires and distractions—isn’t easy, but it leads to real life. And endurance isn’t optional. The Christian journey isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. But the promise is extraordinary: those who endure will reign with Christ.
Three Practical Takeaways
So how do we live this out?
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Speak up. Don’t be silent. People need to hear the hope of the gospel. Share your story, start a conversation, offer truth with love.
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Die daily. Ask the Holy Spirit what distractions or desires you need to lay down so you can live more fully for Christ.
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Keep going. Faith is a lifelong journey. Surround yourself with other believers, stay grounded in prayer and Scripture, and don’t give up.
A Personal Story
A few weeks ago, someone borrowed my little motor scooter without asking and crashed it. Left it scratched up and broken. I was frustrated—it’s something I’ve taken care of for years.
But as I prayed, I sensed the Holy Spirit reminding me: “Mark, you’ve made mistakes too. And I forgave you. Now extend that same grace.”
So I met with the young man, told him he didn’t owe me anything, and used the moment to share the gospel. I explained: “You should have to pay for this scooter. But I’m choosing to forgive the debt—because Jesus forgave mine. He paid the debt I could never pay.”
Later he texted me, thanking me for the forgiveness and saying it showed him what faith could mean. I don’t know if that was the moment he fully believed, but I know a seed was planted.
Maybe God allowed that scooter to be wrecked so that eternity could be changed for someone He loves.
Final Word
The Apostle Paul was willing to be in chains because he knew the gospel couldn’t be chained. It still carries power today.
So let’s remember: Jesus is alive. Let’s open our mouths, scatter the seed of the gospel, and trust God to make it grow.
Because in the end, why would you believe in something that stayed dead—when you can believe in Someone who conquered death and is alive forever?
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