The Power of the Resurrection
Resurrection Sunday! What a great time of worship and affirmation of the faith. The preacher reminds us all of the historical event that changed all of history and millions of lives. We greet each other, “He Is Risen!” And most know to parrot back, “He Is Risen Indeed!” But do we really believe it? I mean really?
What impact is this truth having on our day-to-day lives? How much are we relying on this truth so that we can see ongoing sanctification and glorification; maturing into the likeness of Christ?
Truth be known, all too many Christians live like practical atheists. We forget the personal implications of the resurrection and function within the weaknesses and wounds of our flesh. We tell ourselves, I just can’t help it, that’s the way I am.” Or we murmur, “If you only knew what I went through as I child; or what happened to me as an adult…” to justify fleshly actions and reactions.
In this powerful prayer of the Apostle Paul, look at these amazing words regarding what the resurrection should mean to us: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms…”
Paul is praying that we should wake up and see the power FOR US who believe; that power which is without equal in the whole universe; that power that is THE SAME AS the mighty strength that God the Father used to rip Jesus out of the grave and death and raise Him to life!
Did I say that it says that this power is FOR US WHO BELIEVE? This is not an abstract idea. Paul is trying to say that when we get this through our think skulls, it is enlightening. The light bulb comes on and we never can settle for less. The Power of the Resurrection is at work inside every believer. This is why the Word is full of things like 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” And it also says that from one degree of glory to the next God is changing us. (2 Cor. 3:18)
Yet we languish in our unbelief. “My problems are too big for God.” “My past is so embedded in my life that I have little hope and less expectation of miraculous change.” We believe lie after lie of the enemy. That is why, for some, our families seem one way in the public, but our marriages, our parenting, and our family look very different behind closed doors. But we are not defined by our pasts or by our sins.
Let us truly embrace the truth, “Jesus is Risen! He is Risen indeed!” And He lives His resurrection life inside every believer. He is eager to be unleashed by our repentance to live His life through us. And it is amazing what He can and will do. Trust in Him, not just for eternity, but for today. What He did for me, He will do for you! We are the People of the Resurrection! Christopher
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