SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1391

“Resurrection 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. – Romans 8:11

The words ‘give life’ mean to revitalize what was dead. It means being ‘born-again’ by the Spirit of God. Our old sin nature is crucified with Christ, and we are made alive to God in Jesus.

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. – Romans 6:10-11

Through faith in Jesus, God’s resurrection power gives us power for doing life in this world. Are you walking in His power? Are you living the overcoming life that our Lord has equipped you to live by His Holy Spirit? Are you solidly connected to Him such that you know Him and the power of His resurrection?

Indeed. I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection… – Philippians 3:8-10

Far too many of us who profess to being followers of Jesus Christ, walk in a weakened, if not powerless condition and state of mind. In electrical systems, a loss of power is caused by a broken, loose, or otherwise compromised connection with the source of power.

Broken – Perhaps you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept the free gift of salvation offered to you through faith in Jesus. Your connection with the resurrection power of God is broken. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus died for your sins. He loves you just as you are, and His hand is reaching toward yours to forgive and redeem you and give you new life by His Spirit. There is no better time than now. Take His hand and receive power for living here and for eternity.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Romans 10:13

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 36:26

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. – Psalm 40:2

Loose, Distant – During Jesus’ ministry there were many who followed Him at a distance: Perhaps through curiosity, peer pressure, or just to get a free meal. There were times where they abandoned Him and walked away because the Truth of His Word interfered with their desires of the flesh and this world. Some, like Peter, followed at a distance out of fear of being identified as His disciple.

When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. – Matthew 19:22

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. – John 6:66

How closely do you walk with Jesus? Are you shoulder to shoulder yoked with Him? Is your relationship with Jesus characterized as membership in a religious club rather than a personal, intimate relationship?

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:29

The resurrection power for living is weakened by distance. It is weak and intermittent when we remain loosely connected in our relationship with Jesus.

Compromised – A compromised electrical connection has been polluted by its environment interfering with its bond resulting in a loss of power. A loose connection can easily become compromised.

Do you harbor unrepented sin? Do you harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in your heart? Are you living a compromised life, one foot in worldliness and one foot on the path of righteousness defined by the Word of God? How much of the poisonous sin of the world are you willing to partake of through entertainment and over-indulgence in the desires of the flesh?

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. – Matthew 6:24

A compromised life results in seeking power to overcome trials through self-will and emotional power. It may seek to cope with life challenges through chemicals or ‘comfort food’. Only the resurrection power of God is sufficient to help us in our times of need.

Resolve today to demolish the strongholds of compromise, and establish a solid, close personal relationship with Jesus to walk in the newness of life and live an overcoming life by His resurrection power.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21