How Jesus' Resurrection Changes Your Life
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14
Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

In the passion narrative at the Last Supper, Jesus takes the cup and says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25). The next day, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. On Sunday, He rose from the dead!

We are forgiven by His death and saved by His resurrection life!  And His new covenant changes us from the inside out!

"For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:16-17).

The resurrection of Jesus changes believers because we are no longer "in our sins." Jesus said to "come to Him," take His yoke upon us, and we will find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). Even after coming to Christ, many people find it difficult to accept the unconditional forgiveness provided by Jesus. Even Christians who sit in church week after week and hear the gospel of grace still think they must work off the debt and earn God's forgiveness. Guilt feelings can cause people to revisit the sin instead of laying hold of God’s forgiveness. 

Understanding, owning, and reflecting upon God's forgiveness in Christ will change your life! In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul is greatly concerned for the Corinthians because they are in unequally yoked relationships. It's no wonder Christians struggle with their identity when they are harnessed to friends and influencers who "preach" a false gospel of selfishness, works, worldliness, and evil. Paul says it this way in verses 14-16:

"For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?"

Reminding ourselves of our identity--preaching the gospel to ourselves--will allow us to experience the rest Jesus provided at salvation. Learning from Jesus (rather than fighting Him) will produce the fruit of the Spirit. Remember, your closest friends are impacting you, so you need gospel-centered friends who preach the gospel to you. Attempting to pull away from the yoke of Jesus will be the natural result of being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

Resurrection power is available to you today. Resurrection power is a person, and His name is Jesus. Don't fight His leadership. Learn from Him. He is gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.