It's Easter, that bright, sunny spring Sunday when we all dress up and go to church to celebrate the central point of Christian history.

Easter is why creation began. Easter is the reason for the universe and all it contains.

The first Easter gave man, the creature, unlimited access to God, the creator, for the first time ever and forever.

Christ rose from the grave that first Easter morning, and in that miracle, the relationship of the creature and God changed forever. God alone did all that was necessary, to forever defeat sin that morning.

Because Christ rose, you and I now can live in the kingdom of light. We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness, and now we have an open door into the kingdom of Christ in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of our sins.

Christ is alive today. He conquered the grave for us. That is what we celebrate. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. All things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible powers or rulers or authorities were created by him.

Our savior was and is before all things, and all things hold together in him. He is the head of the church and the body of believers throughout the world. He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he is supreme.

God was and is pleased to have all his fullness dwell in our savior, and to reconcile all things, whether on earth or above, by making peace with us through Christ's blood that was shed on that cross so many years ago.

Once we were alienated from God but now have been redeemed by Christ's death so we can be presented holy in God's sight, welcome, without blemish and free from accusation.

He was bruised and put to death for our sins, and we are healed by the stripes he bore on the way to that cross.

He has risen. Up from the grave he arose, and we are to rejoice in what was suffered for us. We are to live in him, become rooted in him and built up in him, strengthened in our faith and overflowing with thankfulness.

We are to be united in love so we can have the full riches of understanding the mystery of God in Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We, at last, can be complete in our savior who died for us and then conquered death.

It's Easter, day above all days. Rejoice!

H. Murray Hohns of Makiki is an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035.