Resurrection Power

Yesterday, Easter was celebrated around the world.  While this holiday has its roots in a religious event that occurred in the first century, the holiday for many has morphed into nothing more than a time to get new clothes, hunt for Easter eggs and candy, and get together with family for Easter brunch.  None of these things is wrong in itself; but, as a Christian, the fact that my Savior, Jesus Christ, died on a cross for my sins on Good Friday and then conquered death on Sunday morning by rising from the dead is what makes Easter an important holiday.

Power is something we hear a lot about in our world.  We are drawn to people who are in power, and we are interested in being or feeling empowered to accomplish our goals and dreams.  But Jesus demonstrated a different type of power than we are accustomed to seeing today.  It was quiet, unobtrusive, and self-sacrificing – which wasn’t what most of the first century people were expecting power to look like either. 

When Jesus rose from the dead, he showed us all that his type of power was not weakness . . . he was just waiting for the proper time to exhibit resurrection power.  Being fully human and fully divine (which we can’t fully understand!), Jesus had the ability to use his divine power in a visible and demonstrative way throughout his life; he just chose not to in order to complete his mission as a human.  He saved his power for the resurrection, which allowed all of us the ability and privilege of sharing relationship and eternity with him.

But here’s even better news: the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to each one of us as we seek to walk in fellowship with him during our earthly lives!  Here’s a couple of Scriptures to chew on:

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.  This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20)

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

How exciting is that?!  Resurrection power wasn’t just about Jesus’ resurrection – it was also about how we live today.  According to these verses, we don’t have to allow Satan to defeat us because we have resurrection power and everything we need for godly living.  God has already provided for us.  The secret?  Knowing God.  It’s our knowledge of him that allows us to receive everything he has provided.  The more we know him – truly know who he is and seek to walk closely with him – the more we will experience resurrection power every day and not just on Easter.  Are you ready to claim your resurrection power?

Things To Think About

I always love when different portions of God’s Word come together to form one truth.  I always feel like this is a gift from God that helps me walk closer with him.  Lately, some personal circumstances have caused me to reconsider a difficult passage, Matthew 10:37-39:

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Without trying to sermonize on this passage, let me just share what God has been showing me.

A couple weeks ago, I went to my old church to listen to a young missionary friend of my son speak about his upcoming relocation to the Middle East with his wife and new baby.  Instead of sharing a lot of details about his mission, he instead spoke from his heart about being a martyr.  Most of us think of martyrdom as involving death, but Charley reminded us that true martyrs are those who are willing to live like martyrs while still alive.  I couldn’t help but think of the verses quoted above.

This year I’ve been re-reading Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest; and, in the past week, there have been three readings that relate to this same topic.  Let me quote Chambers’ words:

“No one is ever united with Jesus Christ until he is willing to relinquish not sin only, but his whole way of looking at things.  We must relinquish . . . all claim of being worthy of God’s consideration . . . my claim to my right to myself in every phase.”

“Abandonment is not for anything at all . . . If we only give up something to God because we want more back, there is nothing of the Holy Spirit in our abandonment; it is miserable commercial self-interest.  Real abandonment . . . is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself.  The test of abandonment is always over the neck of natural devotion.  Most of us know abandonment in vision only.”

“The salvation of God is deliverance out of self entirely into union with Himself.  In our abandonment we give ourselves over to God just as God gave Himself for us, without any calculation.  The consequence of abandonment never enters into our outlook because our life is taken up with Him.”

God has given most of us wonderful gifts to enjoy here on this earth – families, homes, friends, freedoms, etc.  Enjoying them is not wrong.  But here’s a question for each of us to consider:  how are we doing with the concept of losing our lives for Christ’s sake – of living our lives here on earth as martyrs – of being willing to abandon all for Him?  Trusting God to help me be worthy of him . . .  

God's On His Throne!

Today is Super Tuesday, which means that a large number of states are holding their primary elections or caucus meetings today.  As I write this, the outcome of voting today is unknown; and, frankly, I’m not very interested.  What does interest me is the importance that many people in America are placing on today – even many Christians.

Last night I read a comment on social media quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14 and applying it to our nation: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  I have heard this application from well-meaning Christians and pastors my whole life, but I don't think it follows correct Biblical interpretation. 

This verse is in the middle of a speech God made directly to Israel’s king Solomon upon the completion and dedication of the temple in Jerusalem.  The context makes it clear that it is intended to speak to God’s chosen people, the Israelites, around 960 B.C. – not the people of our country in 2016 A.D.  While I believe that God still hears and forgives those who humble themselves, pray, seek him, and turn from wickedness, we cannot use this verse as a “formula” to ensure God’s blessing on our land.

To be honest, I’m not sure that America hasn’t already reached a point more appropriately expressed in Psalm 81:11-12 (also originally written about the Israelites) or Romans 1:18-32 (originally written to describe God’s response to the wickedness of all of mankind):

“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.”

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness . . . for although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened . . . Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts . . . to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done . . ."

While the situation does seem bleak for our nation, and both those running for the presidency and those voting for them seem misguided at best, thankfully there is more to the story than what America has to offer.  God is still sovereign – regardless of who wins an election or what happens to our nation!  While I appreciate the freedoms of the country I live in, I do not place my trust in them – but in God alone.  With or without America, I have a secure future.  To quote a song we used to sing with our children:

“God’s on His throne – no need to worry;

God’s on His throne – so I can rest;

God’s on His throne – and I can trust Him;

Almighty King – God’s on His throne!”

People live and people die, nations rise and nations fall; but God will always be in control, and my future is in his hands – not the hands of any politician who might “win” today.  The ultimate “win” is being loved by my Creator and walking closely with him on this earth until I get to spend eternity with him!