Tag: New Life

Living with resurrection power

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Isaiah 22-24; John 10-11

HIGHLIGHT

John 11:25–26 (ESV): 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

EXPLAIN

This startling statement by Jesus came in the amazing, peculiar, troubling story of Lazarus’ death. When Lazarus got sick, his sisters sent Jesus word, but Jesus delayed going to him or speaking a word of healing.

Lazarus died and was four days in the tomb when Jesus finally showed up. Martha greeted him, lamenting that Jesus had not been there to heal her brother. Jesus responded, saying that Lazarus would live again. Martha reaffirmed her belief in the coming resurrection. But Jesus made it present tense: I AM the resurrection.

APPLY

This is the startling hope and reality Jesus offers all who put their faith in him. He gives us resurrection power today!

This is the power and life for which Paul counted everything as dross so that he might know Christ.

The question is: do we live in the reality of this resurrection power? Is his life-creating power creating new life in us, or are we still living in the death of our past sinful life? Is his power in us giving life to others, or are we barren fig trees, only full of leaves?

Do we truly believe Jesus to be the resurrection and the life?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your life-creating power in me. Make me ever new and full of life for you and may I give that life to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Glorious Freedom

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HIGHLIGHT

Romans 6:7–8 (ESV): 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

EXPLAIN

In the previous chapter, Paul explained that while Adam’s sin brought death and condemnation into the world, Jesus’ death on the Cross has brought life and justification for all. He concluded that where sin increased, grace abounded more.

Paul then asked if that meant we should sin more that grace might continually abound and give God more glory. The answer is obviously no. Like Christ died to sin and was raised to new life to die no more, so we have died to sin and have been raised to walk in the newness of life.

APPLY

While Paul’s reasoning makes sense to us and while we believe that we have been set free from sin and must live with Christ and in Christ, this idea that we have actually died to sin and have been set free is shocking.

We are dead to sin! Sin has no hold on us! Yes, Paul speaks of the power of the carnal nature in Romans 7. The carnal nature has virtually complete control over the unregenerate person, and the carnal nature will fight for control in the life of the believer who is not entirely sanctified. But we are dead to sin!

Paul’s admonition in Romans 6:12-14 make it clear that the believer, even the entirely sanctified Christian, must still reject the temptations of sin and choose the way of righteousness. Yet we gloriously free from sin!

Do we truly live like spiritually free men and women?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the glorious freedom purchased on Calvary by your son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. May we live in that freedom, rejoicing, honoring your name with our righteous deeds. Amen.