there is life

isn't it great how death isn't the end of the story of the cross? after taking into account all that Christ had to suffer through, He was raised from His grave and raised us from ours.  the concept of our New Life from His Death has to be the most abstract idea to think about. and this Life isn't just the kind that comes after life on earth; it is immediately attained by accepting the Gift from Christ, made possible by the cross. Christ said He came that we may have life "more abundantly," meaning that our lives on Earth will be more fulfilling and have more purpose as a result of our submission to Him. this comes from the joy in new life: that we don't have to be slaves to sin and there's a choice when it comes to how we live our lives. we have been transformed by the renewing of our spirit (sounds familiar, right?). it comes from the hope we have in the Life to come: that no matter what, there's a happy end to the story and, in fact, there doesn't have to be an end. if we think about it though, Life mostly comes from the purpose that we receive through the commission that Christ gives to all who believe in Him.