That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.
Philippians 3:10
Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the redeemer Himself.
To know Jesus represents more than just doctrine. When Paul confessed, “that I may know Him,” the Greek language suggested personal experience. This was indeed Paul’s passion. And in such knowledge of Christ, the Apostle Paul desired to know Him personally in the power of His resurrection.
Paul once prayed for the Ephesians Christians, “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” (Ephesians 1:19-20). In Romans 8:11, Paul described this power: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Over the years, I have learned of three ways the “power of the resurrection” is lived out in our lives. First, the power of the resurrection causes the believer to live confidently in the reality of eternal life. I John 5:11 proclaims, “and this is the testimony, God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” Your life far exceeds this world. Take confidence in the fact that you will live forever with Him. Second, the power of the resurrection affirms the believer’s new position over the condemnation of sin. In describing this status, Romans 8:33-34 states, “who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Do not live under the condemning voice of past sins and failures. Because of the resurrection, you have new life. You are a new creation. Live in this divine reality. Finally, the power of the resurrection directs the believer to live spiritually – constantly pursuing the things of Christ. Romans 6:4 identifies us with Christ, in that, “as Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of the Father, we too may walk in the newness of life.” The imagery of walk indicates one’s manner of living – one’s lifestyle. Every day you awaken, you are blessed to live out that day according to Jesus, who was raised to life on your behalf. Passionately live today like the resurrection happened yesterday. You are alive in Him. Just as He was raised from the dead, every believer also walks in a brand-new life every day.
In summary, the resurrection of Jesus represents our identity as His followers. Because of the resurrection, we are a resurrection people. “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
Today, live according to the reality of Resurrection morning.
Blessings.
