Victory

Eternal life isn't all about the afterlife.

There are voices in Christianity that want to remind us that salvation isn't all about life after death. Unfortunately they overstate things at times, but they are helpful, trying to keep us from forgetting that through the saving work of Jesus we are reconciled to God, adopted into his one family, and given the work of peace, justice, and hope, bringing his kingdom, as much as possible, to the here and now.

It's also about life after death.

He is risen! The words of the angel became the traditional Easter greeting because it's so key to the whole story. Jesus did not just reconcile us to God. He conquered death!

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ...

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

(1 Cor 15:19-22, 54-55)

The cross of Christ was about more than life after death, but we must not forget that Christ's victory over sin was also victory over death.