Friday, April 22, 2011

The Resurrection is the Recalibration of Our Reality

The resurrection of Jesus is the most important historical event for mankind, next to the creation of the world. It demonstrated that Jesus is the Son of God with power over sin and death (Romans 1:4). Because He went to the cross, bearing our sin and shame, we can now live life abundantly in Him (John 10:10) escaping the corruption of sin (2 Peter 1:4) and judgment of God upon sin (Romans 5:9).

The resurrection is the great "game-changer" for those who turn to God and believe. Prior to this, mankind was separated from God because of sin and lawless acts (Colossians 2:13). But because of God's love for us, while we were dead in our sins, He sent His son as the ultimate sacrifice to die in our place (Romans 5:8). When Jesus shed His blood for you and me it reconciled and made us right (justified) before God, saving us from the penalty of sin and God's wrath (judgment) against us (Romans 5:8-9). When we turn from sin, considering ourselves dead to it, acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we now experience life by the power of God (2 Timothy 2:11). As a result, we partake of His divine nature, escaping the corruption of sin (2 Peter 1:4). The eyes of our understanding are opened so that we may may know the hope of His calling, as well as the riches of the glory of His inheritance for us - for His children who believe (Ephesians 1:18).

God wants us to understand and experience the incredible greatness of His power for our lives, which is the same power that God utilized when He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places above every other power and authority, placing everything under His feet (Ephesians 1:19-22).We are no longer to walk in sin, nor are we to walk in defeat and weakness - we have God!

The Apostle Paul understood this and made it His life's passion to love and serve God, without reservation. He purposed to know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10) in his life and ministry. We too are called to walk this way. Though we are weak in ourselves, we no longer serve ourselves and can call upon a God who loves us, blesses us and gives us His power to overcome the obstacles and problems in life, as well as minister with His power and love. As we seek God and love Him with all our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:5) obeying and trusting in Him, we come to see His glory and the goodness He had given us with His very great and precious promises that are for us (2 Peter 1:4). Because we belong to Him, He has given us every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

For this reason we bow before God, serving Him with all reverence and love. We are strengthened by His power through the Holy Spirit in our inner self so that Christ dwells in our hearts by the faith He has given us. Being rooted and grounded in His great love, He reveals the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ - a love that goes beyond all knowledge, so we may know all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-20).

This is the true meaning and purpose of life - the life we are meant to live, as destined by God. This is the abundant life God has for us who believe. We are to receive the power of the resurrection from Him. God is so glorious and His love is so wonderful that it recalibrates our reality!

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