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 the resurrection, we must recognize that all who do not know Christ and have accepted Him as their personal Savior are spiritually dead: "You also were dead in your trespasses and in your sins" (Ephesians 2,1). This is where spiritual resurrection comes into play. In his immense mercy and great love for us, God intervened: "God made us alive in Christ who were dead in sins" (Ephesians 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 installed us in heaven in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 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 lusts of the flesh, and the mighty one that rules in the air, the devil (Ephesians 2,2-3). All of these spiritual enemies were defeated by Jesus' death and resurrection.

Because we participate with Christ and in His resurrection, we are no longer constrained by the world and our flesh into a pattern of life from which we cannot escape. We can now hear the voice of God. We can respond to it and live in a way that is pleasing to God. Paul told the believers in Rome that it was crazy to think that they could continue their sinful lifestyle: "Shall we then persist in sin that grace might abound? Far be it! We are dead to sin. How can we still live in it?" (Romans 6,1-2).

A new life

Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can now lead a completely different life: "We were buried with him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also are in one walk in new life" (Romans 6,4).

Not only were the power of the flesh and the pull of the world defeated, the power of Satan and his domain were also brought down. "With it he ministered to Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in heaven over every kingdom, authority, might, dominion, and every name that is called upon, not only in this world, but also in of those to come" (Ephesians 1,21). God has stripped the powers and authorities of their power and put them on public display and triumphs over them in Christ. Because of our co-resurrection in Christ, what Jesus said to his disciples also applies to us: Behold, I have given you authority over every enemy's power (Luke 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, count that you are dead to sin, and live to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6,11).

We can now gradually become dead and unresponsive to the lure of sin. This only happens as we increasingly recognize and appreciate the fact that we are a new creation: 'If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (2. Corinthians 5,17).

Realize that you are not doomed to a life of failure! Because we now belong to Christ and are endowed with His resurrection power to conquer our enemies, we can break free from unhealthy patterns of behavior: 'As obedient children, yield not to the lusts in which you formerly lived in your ignorance; but as he who called you is holy, so ye also should be holy in all your conduct. For it is written: Ye shall 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 walk in His purity and integrity.

Offer yourself up to God as a sacrifice. We were bought with a price, with the blood of Jesus: «For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your body" (1. Corinthians 6,20).

Bring your heart more in line with God's will: "Neither present your members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who were dead and are alive now, and your members to God as weapons of righteousness » (Romans 6,13).

Paul instructed the Colossians, saying, "If ye have been raised with Christ, seek things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3,1). This teaching is consistent with Jesus' instruction to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Ask God every day to strengthen you with His Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts God's resurrection power to you. Paul explains to us how he prays for the Ephesians: «I pray that out of his great wealth he will give you the power to become strong inwardly through his Spirit. And I pray that through faith Christ may dwell more and more in your hearts, and that you may be rooted and grounded in the love of God" (Ephesians 3,16-17 New Life Bible). How does Jesus live in your heart? Jesus lives in your heart by believing! It was Paul's intense desire to experience the power of resurrection in his life: "I would like to recognize him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings and thus be made like his death, so that I can attain the resurrection from the dead". (Philippians 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