THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

"That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection . . . " (Phil 3:10)

One of the great dangers of a positional theology is that it leaves us spiritually impotent. It is one thing, for example, to adopt a theology that acknowledges the resurrection of Christ. It is quite another to participate in the power of His resurrection.

Paul saw the resurrection of Christ as more than a mere historical fact. Through the Spirit, He perceived it as something of immediate relevance. He aggressively threw off all competing influences, even though many of them brought seeming benefit to him, in order to appropriate the power of His resurrection. He considered anything and everything unrelated to the fellowship of Christ as "dung" and refuse. It was all something that would ultimately be discarded, so he placed it all in a heap to be rejected.

The surpassing value of knowing Jesus, or enjoying familiarity and closeness with Him, was not possible without this determined manner of life. Being found "in" Christ, and "knowing" Him is worth the abandonment of everything else.

Included in his energetic quest was Paul's desire to "know," or participate in, "the power of His resurrection." He knew the demands placed upon the human spirit by faith are far beyond the capabilities received by nature. Human ingenuity is impotent in the face of Divine demands. What the Lord commands us to do cannot be fulfilled in the energy of the flesh. It requires "the power of His resurrection." Note, this is not power LIKE the power of Christ's resurrection, but the very power "OF" His resurrection.

The very same power that raised Jesus from the dead–Divine power–is now "toward," or devoted to, believers. Their eyes, however, must be opened to this marvelous power (Eph 1:17-20). The power will enable them to recover from setbacks. It will also equip them to obtain further insights, and enable them to fulfill their ministry. That power will also be effective in repelling the influences of darkness, and casting down imaginations.

What is it that stands between you and "the power of His resurrection?" Do not imagine that you have yet tasted of its fulness. There is more of that power to be perceived and enjoyed than any of us have dared to imagine. But it will require a vigorous and determined renunciation of anything and everything that makes it difficult to obtain, or neutralizes its influence upon us. I encourage you to follow Paul's example. You will not be disappointed.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in Jesus name for the presence and effectiveness of Christ's resurrection power.

-- Monday: ACADEMIA VERSUS EDIFICATION --