If Christ is not risen from the dead, then we are all still in our sins. Christians believe that Christ is risen from the dead, but that does not mean that all are out of their sins. Christ is risen but not all believe in Him. Those who believe in the resurrected Savior know His justifying work. Those who do not believe in Him will know His judgement.

Christians celebrate the resurrection because judgement is over. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The propitiation and resurrection of Jesus shows that God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” For those outside of Christ, however, all those who do not trust in His sacrifice, justice will be done as they are punished for their sins.

God has appointed Jesus “to be judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). That means that every man in every generation must deal with Him and the issue is sin. We have all “sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin deserves death, and the Judge doesn’t miss any evidence or overlook any offenses. Unless we are forgiven we will be punished.

As believers in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, we mourn our sin that cost the spotless Lamb His life. The more mature we become and the more we taste holiness, the more we hate sin past and present. The sweetness of our salvation contrasts with the bitterness of our rebellion.

We have burst out in anger and hatred, envied the positions and possessions of other, glutted ourselves on the world, been lazy, lied, lusted, slandered, and worshiped things or persons or ideas over God. We deserved His judgment. The good news is “that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” because He is risen from the dead.