Easter Bible Verses that Impacted My Life

Easter is almost here, and many people will be celebrating Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. But how many people really know what that means? How does it change their lives? Well, here are some verses related to that very thing that have changed my life in one way or another.

1. "And then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

In context, this verse comes right after Jesus was telling his disciples of the suffering, death, and resurrection that He would go through in the future. In this specific verse, He was saying that those who chose to follow Him would have to deny their will for His.

In my own life, I'm only at the edge of knowing exactly what that means. I'm seeing ways that I've been selfish for years, and I cry as I start wanting to the put them behind me. I want to follow Him, and this verse just keeps showing up everywhere I go.

2."For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV)

Righteousness is not gained by our own efforts. It's impossible to do so! No one is truly good except Christ Himself.

I used to believe that those who had what appeared to have easier lives were better than I was in not being sinful. I truly struggled with my past to the point that I thought my life was not worth it, because I could never measure up to these high standards set before me. I believed that God loved the people with easy lives better. But I was wrong.

No one is good enough. God pointed this out to me many times within the past year. I have nothing in my life that could possibly qualify for God's favor, or at least, I don't have that on my own efforts.

3. "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." Romans 8:1 (NIV)

This verse (and the context) basically says that those who put their trust in the Lord for their salvation are no longer in the position where they have to ultimately pay for their sins. Christ paid the price and erased all that.

This verse has come to mind many of times in my own life. I don't forget my horrible past easily. I even look at every little mistake I make now and think of how bad of a sinner I must really be. But, since I trusted my life to Christ, I don't actually have to be a slave to all those accusations. Christ paid the price, so now I can be brave and move past all that. I can change now, and the burden of my sins is no longer mine!

4."If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." John 15:18 (NIV)

Jesus is talking to his disciples in this verse. In context, the whole passage is Him telling them of how He is going to die and then rise again. This specific verse, however, is where He is telling His disciples of how they will be hated by those who hated Jesus first.

I have recently come to terms with this fact, even though I knew it somewhat for years. I have experienced the pain of those who had turned their backs of me for no reason. I had also experienced the reality of those hating me from the start, because I had claimed Christ as my savior. It hurts really badly, but it is a reality that one must face when following Christ on such a narrow road in life.

5."He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Now don't misunderstand this one. It does not mean the idea of getting whatever you want. It does, however, mean that God loved us so much that He would have Christ, and not us, pay the price for our sins if we'd only accept His gift. God loves us more than we even realize.

I struggled with understanding this, and in many ways I still do. I neither earned His love nor did I earn salvation from my sins. Too many times I think that anything good in my life is not deserved, but, truthfully, no one on earth deserves anything good to happen to them. Anything good (ranging from salvation through Christ to even a nice, sunny day) are gifts from God that are not held back against us because of our sin. Why does God do that? I still can't understand it.

So those are just some verses that have impacted my life in some pretty significant ways. What are some ways that Jesus Christ has changed your life? Have you let Him come and change your life?

Bible: New International Version