Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1: 3-4)
I find that many people are quite willing to discuss matters of faith, God, the bible, miracles, religion and even Jesus Christ. But you often come to a screaming halt in conversation when the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is claimed as truth. Many people are quite happy to give mental and even verbal ascent to the life of Jesus Christ BUT they stop short of seeing His resurrection as true, and vitally central to the whole plan of God in redeeming sinners to salvation.
People are religious by nature but never believers in Jesus Christ crucified, buried and raised to life again. This fundamental salvation belief only comes from receiving a new nature through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (1Cor. 2: 10-16)
I like how Hank Hanegraaff in his book ‘Resurrection’ puts it:
“The resurrection is not merely important to the historic Christian faith; without it, there would be no Christianity. It is the singular doctrine that elevates Christianity above all other world religions. Through the resurrection, Christ demonstrated that He does not stand in a line of peers with Abraham, Buddha, or Confucius. He is utterly unique. He has the power not only to lay down His life, but to take it up again.”