One of my favorite authors over the 40 years I've been reading and studying is Eugene Peterson. I first ran across Peterson in the book "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction - Discipleship in an Instant Society". It made me realize that our faith is lived day in and day out over a lifetime. We are not measured by our momentary successes, or victories; but rather by the willingness to submit ourselves to growth and decisions to walk out our faith every single day...moment by moment...relationship by relationship.
To practice the resurrection means we choose to live in the power of Christ's life as a Kingdom citizen. We belong to Christ Jesus and His life is more real than we can imagine.
It's now Monday, the day after Easter. We celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus...Jesus is Risen! He Lives! Yes.
The problem with something like Easter is that - as Christians - we're use to the doctrine. Yet, the key thing to realize is that is NOT the fact of the Resurrection that is crucial; but rather that the LIFE of the Resurrection is what is crucial.
Jesus' death and resurrection is the basis for the beginning of our Eternal Life.
Romans 1:1-5
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart
for the gospel of God,
2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
When Paul wrotes these words he wasn't looking back at Jesus' resurrection as a fact; but rather that the resurrection was the basis for the His life in Christ both then and in the future.
To practice the resurrection means we choose to live in the power of Christ's life as a Kingdom citizen. We belong to Christ Jesus and His life is more real than we can imagine.
The operative word for Practicing Resurrection is the biblical word "walk".
Colossians 1:9-14
9 And so,
from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may
be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding,
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
To practice resurrection every day, we live as people of faith, hope and love.
To practice resurrection is to love God more than self - we are willing to die to self and embrace God's truth and act on it because it's truth.
To practice resurrection is to know Jesus is alive and we can embrace his sovereignty and so put Him in charge no matter what our circumstances.
To practice resurrection is to embrace the mystery of all that God is doing...which means life isn't simple...it's difficult and therefore must be lived by faith.
Live my friends...Live His Resurrected Life!
Peace
Comments