In John 11, when Jesus went to Martha and Mary, to raise Lazarus from the dead, He said to Martha – “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” [Verses 25 – 26]
Jesus’ statement and question are extremely important, because experiencing Christ’s resurrection life is the best possible way to live. Paul wrote in Phil. 3:12 – “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.”
Resurrection life is powerful and blessed and victorious! It is a life of abundance, a life of safety, security, daily renewal, restoration, faith, and purpose. It is a life of spiritual freedom which is empowered by Christ’s Holy Spirit. The question to each one of us is: “As a Christian, am I living the resurrection life? Does my life reveal that Jesus is alive, and that He is Lord over all?
Does Easter make a difference to your and my life? When Jesus died, He rose again and was victorious over death. Do we live this resurrection life of victory? The same power which caused Jesus to arise, can live in us and help us daily by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Resurrection life promotes contentment and not being concerned about the future. Our Good Shepherd willingly laid down His life for us SO THAT we can experience life in ALL its fullness and beautiful abundance.
Abundant life is a life filled with meaning and purpose, which overflows with Christ’s sweetness and presence. The abundant life means we live as unto God and NOT unto ourselves. We will never be happy when we live unto ourselves and our own needs. When we start living for God, we discover abundant joy and security. Where and in what do you find your meaning? Abundant life means we are no longer slaves to sin, but that we live by grace, through faith, which is a gift of God. Grace gives us what we need, not what we deserve. Grace is God saying to us He loves us because of what Jesus did on the cross. Grace and resurrection life is the road to freedom, which sets us free from guilt, death, bitterness and unforgiveness. It sets us free from anxiety so that we can grow into God’s purpose for us.
Resurrection life is not about religion but about relationship with HIM! We cannot earn God’s love, but we can enjoy it by accepting what Jesus did on the cross for us. We need to live as God intended us to live, not in our own strength, but through the power of Christ’s resurrection life. Without Resurrection life, we lose hope and have nothing to build our lives on. His resurrection life gives us much joyful, living hope!
Myrtle Turunen