During the Easter season, believers celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. And rightly so, for his resurrection illustrates – our lives also continue beyond physical death.
We tend to view our own resurrection from death as a futuristic event, after we physically die. While there is value in this, we should realize resurrection life is also available during this life.
The Message translates John 11:23-25 as:
Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.” Jesus responded; “You don’t have to wait for the End, I am, right now, Resurrection and Life.”
Our interaction with God-in-Christ, here and now, is indeed resurrection life today!
Our interaction with God-in-Christ, here and now, is indeed resurrection life today!
Resurrection Here and Now
Yes, resurrection is generally considered an act that follows physical death, but it is so much more. The Greek word translated ‘resurrection’ in our Bibles (anastasis) means: to rise; a rising as opposed to falling. Resurrection speaks of our rising out of deathly restrictions, be they physical or perceptional.
Relying on the ‘trial and error’ of natural life, without God’s input is a deathly experience. Our previous blog, “What Is The Primary Sin That So Easily Entangles us?” shines light on the death decree given in the Garden of Eden. Scripture really says; as long as we remain separated from God and rely on ‘the knowledge of good and evil,’ we “will be dying” (a). God’s caution spoke of an on-going condition rather than an eventual death. [see end notes for all Scriptures]
To our detriment, ever since the sinful turn from God’s guidance in The Garden, we lean toward gaining wisdom from earthly experiences (b). Our life focuses first and foremost on what we learn within the natural realm (c). Inclined to believe what our natural senses see and hear, we frequently overlook spiritual insight and the tremendous value it imparts into daily living. Fortunately, we do not need to continue this way.
Resurrection speaks of our rising out of deathly restrictions, be they physical or perceptional.
Walking In Newness
Why remain weighed down in the limitations of earthly approaches toward life? Scripture tells us we can overcome our deathly attitudes and rise into better ways of living. As Christ was raised from the dead…so we too might walk in newness of life (d). God invites us to stop falling and arise, to be resurrected into His newness of life today, in this life.
So, what does this rising into newness really look like?
- First, we acknowledge our earthly-mindedness, and turn to God’s insightful wisdom.
- Then our repentant attitude restores us into God’s insightful fellowship.
- This enables us to constantly arise into fuller understandings and experiences today (e).
Yes, our physical body declines and eventually returns to dust. However, our soul (mind, will and emotion) can do just the opposite—arise and enjoy abundance of life with Christ (f).
Jesus lived ‘in’ resurrection life and displayed the peace that passes natural understanding (g). So did Paul while in prison where he wrote many of his enlightening Epistles. Peter was released from his restrictive attitude toward others and began to live above the attitude of the day (h). The Biblical list can go on and on. Walking with Christ in newness of life enables us to do likewise.
God invites us to arise, to be resurrected into His newness of life in this life.
Arisen With Christ Now
The Apostle Paul sheds more light on this amazing truth, saying; I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus…and the power of His resurrection (arising)…that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (a standing up out of deaths ways) (i). Thankfully, we can arise out of our deteriorating life perceptions.
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked…But God being rich in mercy…even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-6).
God has already prepared for us a degree of living ‘above’ even as we inhabit this world. He invites us to arise into a lifetime of participation in His saving ways, to arise into a more heavenly mindset, to be seated with Christ – above it all. This means opening ourselves to God’s insight and perspectives rather than relying predominantly on the ‘trial and error’ of natural life.
God has already prepared for us a degree of living ‘above’ even as we inhabit this world.
Resurrection Life Every Day
Our repentant attitude allows God to assist our delivering release from unhealthy worldly attitudes and patterns of behavior. We are freed to mature into better reflections and resemblances of His heart and live by the eternal perspectives He shares with us.
Let’s live in resurrection life today. Why wait? Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait for the End, I am, right now, Resurrection and Life” (j). The extent to which we experience resurrection life today depends on how fully we interact with God-in-Christ.
a) Genesis 2:17; b) Genesis 3:36; 1 John 2:16-17; c) 1 Corinthians 15:46; d) Romans 6:4; 7:6) Romans 6:4; 7:6; e) John 17:3; 3:16; f) John 10:10; g) John 1:4; 5:26; Philippians 4:7; h) Acts 11:2-18; i) Philippians 3:8-11; j) John 11:25, (Message)
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder