The Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army Church in Fiji Major Alister Irwin says Easter is a time to reflect on the mistakes of the past and present, confess and rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus, the saviour of the world.

Mr Irwin says everyone has the power to influence their own decision making and to live life right.

“We all want improvement, to be better, you can find a book to tell you how to get a job, how to lose weight, how to have better relationships,” Mr Irwin said.

“There’s only one problem, they don’t give you the power to make those changes, without power all that advice is as useless as a car without petrol,” he said.

“The resurrection is different. It gives us the power to live life right – the way God intended us to live and the way that we desire.

“Apart from Jesus Christ, all people are alienated from God. Sin’s rebellion caused a gulf between God and people that is humanly impassable. Yet, Christ’s blood built the bridge from God to you and I.”

He said human sin produces a pollution of the heart that can only be cleanses by God’s grace. And that grace shows itself in the effectiveness of Christ’s sacrifice where we can we find forgiveness, cleansing, reconciliation, salvation and hope.

“Not only is the resurrection the foundation of the Christian faith, it has ongoing implications for all of our lives today.

“The empty tomb means: I can put my trust in Jesus Christ.

“The penalty God imposed on sin is both just and loving, for God Himself, in the person of the Son, paid that penalty for all who will accept Him as their substitute.

“Those who take God at his word and trust in the resurrection of Jesus Christ receive God’s Spirit into their beings. Imagine that the power that broke the chains of death and revived the body of Jesus courses through the veins of every person who crosses the line of faith.

If God’s Spirit can defeat death, there’s no habit, no sin, no attitude that can withstand that power.

“The evidence weighs strongly in favour of this option. Not only was the tomb empty, Jesus made a minimum of 10 bodily appearances after the resurrection. Since that time millions have trusted in the testimony of those first eyewitnesses.

“The Sacrifice and Resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us hope, it will change your life, but only if you personally trust the risen Lord as your forgiver and Lord.

“The Salvation Army prays for all people across Fiji Islands that they would have a blessed Easter.”