The life in Christ

As Christians we look at death with hope of a future physical resurrection. Our relationship with Jesus not only guarantees forgiveness of the penalty for our sins because of His death, it also guarantees victory over the power of sin because of Jesus' resurrection. The Bible also speaks of a resurrection that we experience here and now. This resurrection is spiritual, not physical, and has to do with our relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result of Christ's work, God sees us as spiritually resurrected and alive.

From death to life

Because only the dead need resurrection, we must acknowledge that all who do not know Christ and have not accepted him as their personal Savior are spiritually dead: “You also were dead in your trespasses and sins.” (Eph 2,1)This is where spiritual resurrection comes into play. In his immeasurable mercy and great love for us, God has intervened: "God has made us, who were dead in our sins, alive with Christ." (Eph 2,5)Paul explains that Jesus' resurrection is valid for all believers because of our relationship with him; we were made alive with Jesus. We now live in an intense connection with Christ, so that it can be said that we already participate in his resurrection and ascension. "He raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Eph 2,5)This now enables us to be holy and blameless before God.

Defeated Enemies

Likewise, we share in God's power and authority over the enemies of our inner world. Paul identifies these enemies as the world, the will and desires of the flesh, and the ruler of the air, the devil. (Eph 2,2-3)All these spiritual enemies were defeated through Jesus' death and resurrection.

Because we share with Christ and in his resurrection, we are no longer confined by the world and our flesh to a pattern of life from which we cannot escape. We can now hear the voice of God. We can respond to him and live in a way that pleases God. Paul told the believers in Rome that it was foolish to think they could continue their sinful lifestyle: “Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? By no means! We died to sin; how can we continue in it?” (Röm 6,1-2).

A new life

Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can now lead a completely different life: "For we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Röm 6,4).

Not only were the power of the flesh and the pull of the world defeated, but also the power of Satan and his dominion were brought down. “He worked through Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in heaven, above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Eph 1,21)God has stripped the powers and authorities of their authority and publicly exposed them, triumphing over them in Christ. Because of our resurrection with him in Christ, what Jesus said to his disciples also applies to us: "See, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy." (Lk 10,19).

Live for God

Living in the resurrection power of Christ begins with an understanding of our new position and identity. Here are some specific ways this can become a reality. Get to know your new identity in Christ. Paul told the Romans, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Röm 6,11).

We can now gradually become mortified and impervious to the temptations of sin. This only happens when we increasingly acknowledge and appreciate the fact that we are a new creation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2. Kor 5,17).

Recognize that you are not condemned to a life of failure! Because we now belong to Christ and are equipped with his resurrection power to defeat our enemies, we can break free from unhealthy patterns of behavior: “As obedient children, do not give yourselves over to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1. Petrus 1,14-16)Indeed, it is God's will that we become more and more like Jesus and live in his purity and with integrity.

Offer yourselves to God as a sacrifice. We were bought at a great price, with the blood of Jesus: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God with your body.” (1. Kor 6,20).

Bring your heart more into harmony with God's will: "Do not offer any part of yourselves to sin as instruments of wickedness, but offer yourselves to God as those who have been dead and are now alive, and offer every part of yourselves to God as instruments of righteousness." (Römer 6,13).

Paul instructed the Colossians with the words: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Kolosser 3,1)This teaching is in accordance with Jesus' instruction to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Ask God every day to strengthen you through his Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives you the power of God's resurrection. Paul explains how he prays for the Ephesians: “I pray that out of his abundant riches he will strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. And I pray that through faith Christ may dwell in your hearts more and more, being rooted and established in God’s love.” (Eph 3,16-17)How does Jesus live in your heart? Jesus lives in your heart through faith! It was Paul's intense longing to experience the power of the resurrection in his life: "I want to know him and the power of his resurrection and to participate in his sufferings, so that I may be conformed to his death and may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Phil 3,10-11).

It's a good habit to begin each day by asking that God fill you with His strength to withstand what comes your way each day and give glory to God in everything you do and say bring. The biblical teaching of the resurrection with Christ has the potential to transform your life far beyond what you thought possible. We are a brand new people with a bright future and a new purpose in life to return and share the love of God.

by Clinton E Arnold