Knowing the Power of the Resurrection.

Philippians 3:10 expresses the Apostle Paul's desire to "know Him [Christ] and the power of His resurrection." In the Bible, the word "to know" usually means to share one's life. We share life with those who are closest to us, spouses, family, and close friends. We share in Christ's life when we know Him as our Savior.

John 13:1 states Jesus' everlasting love for those who know Him. Philippians 3:20-21 says that we share His inheritance. We will also experience the resurrection if He is our Savior (1 Corinthians 15). That is our future sharing of His life; to see the immediate influence of resurrection power in a believer's life, we will look at two other passages written by Paul.

Dying to Self and Sin

Galatians 2:20-21 tell us that knowing resurrection power begins with dying to ourselves. We must surrender our lives to the reality that we needed someone to die for our sins. Because Jesus died for our sins, we can die to sin. The "abundant life" that Christ shares with us (John 10:10) is growing to have less sin and more holiness in our lives. This is impossible without receiving the miraculous gift of faith (Hebrews 11:6) that transforms our lives.

Galatians 2:21 tells us that religious good works (or "law") cannot produce sinlessness. We must trust Jesus' single good work on the cross.

Jesus is nothing to us if we don't share the way He lived. The gospel means nothing to us if we are not transformed by it.

The resurrection power that Paul spoke of in Philippians 3:10 is Christ's innate ability to raise Himself from the dead. Its purpose was to demonstrate to all that the power of sin is broken. Those who know Him do not have to live under its dominance any longer (1 John 2:2-3). We do not share that same ability, but Christ's power transforms our hearts so we are able to live in a way that pleases God.

Experiencing Jesus' Power

Notice all the mentions of "sin" in Romans 6:2-14. Those who know Jesus have a desire to sin less. We can never change the habits of sin ourselves. Any human help is temporary and finite. Jesus' power is eternal and omnipotent!

A note with the following advice just sold at an auction for over $1 million: "A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” These are wise words, but they did not bring such a high price just for their wisdom. The note was written by Albert Einstein just after being awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922. Its value came from who wrote it.

Knowing about Jesus Christ can do us some good. But knowing Him has infinite value! Our lives will not be changed until we share in His life and the power of His resurrection. The only way to know Christ is to give up your life to Him, because He gave up His life for you.

Application Points

• Do you share Christ's life? Here is how to tell: Has He changed the way you live? Jesus means nothing to us if we are not transformed by Him.
• Are you trying to change on your own? Have you looked for human help? These sources can be good, but they are ultimately finite. Christ's power is infinite even over death and sin! Surrender your life to Him so you can share His abundant life.
• Do you know the power of Christ's resurrection in your own life? Are you growing to sin less and please God more? You will know Christ's life when you give up your own life to Him.

Tools for Further Study

A Hymn to Encourage: "I Run to Christ"

I run to Christ when chased by fear and find a refuge sure.
“Believe in me,” His voice I hear; His words and wounds secure.
I run to Christ when torn by grief and find abundant peace.
“I, too, had tears,” He gently speaks; thus, joy and sorrow meet.

I run to Christ when worn by life and find my soul refreshed.
“Come unto Me,” He calls through strife; fatigue gives way to rest.
I run to Christ when vexed by hell and find a mighty arm.
“The Devil flees,” the Scriptures tell; he roars, but cannot harm.

I run to Christ when stalked by sin and find a sure escape.
“Deliver me,” I cry to Him; temptation yields to grace.
I run to Christ when plagued by shame and find my one defense.
“I bore God’s wrath,” He pleads my case – my advocate and friend.

Text by Chris Anderson; Tune by Greg Habegger.
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