Something old, Yet so very New!

I believe as many people I think would agree with, that the central symbol of the Christian Faith is the Cross. The Cross is a depiction of what Christ had to go through to be a sin offering for the whole world, it was and still is very powerful. We also speak of the finished work of the Cross. Christ's suffering and sacrifice for us was 100% complete. But all to often that is right where we stop, we don't continue with the story. 3 days later, Jesus was raised from the dead, He was victorious over death! We often say that Christ died for me, but we forget that He is still alive and lives for us as well! I have been reading through Romans, mostly chapter 1 (that is what the Bible Study I attend is going over tomorrow!) and also reading John Eldredge's "Waking the Dead", and this topic of Christ's resurrection has been brought to the front of my mind. For as long as I can remember I have always believed that Christ was raised from the dead, but I never lived like it. At camp we would run through the grounds on Friday mornings yelling, "He is Risen, He is Risen." yet I don't think that that fact has really sunk in until now!
Paul's mission statement is laid before us in Romans 1:16 "For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Gospel means Good News, and the Good News that Paul was not ashamed of was that Jesus Christ had died for the sins of the entire world, but more than that, descended into hell, defeated satan, was raised from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God the Father!
When we give our lives to Christ and follow Him, we are forgiven of all our sins. We become dead to the wants and desires of this world and are made alive through the resurrection of Christ! Yes, we are still going to sin, Paul says again, "All have sinned, and fall short of the Glory of God." But we are forgiven because we believe, we have Faith that what Christ said and did is Truth!
I guess what I am trying to say, is that Christ is Alive! We should live our lives accordingly. This is what the apostles preached, they all taught about the miracles that Christ performed, and what greater miracle than rising from the grave in Power and Glory!