The Resurrection Life
By John Woodward
March 2, 1998
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11, NKJV).
Is this text speaking primarily of our future resurrection, or the quality of Christ's resurrection life in us who truly believe? Consider both blessings.
1. Resurrection life in the future
One of our senior citizens remarked recently that she knew three people who died that week. She had three funerals to attend! For the child of God, however, "We sorrow not as those who have no hope" (1 Thess. 4:13). Although grief is valid (John 11:35), the believer is consoled by the promise of a bodily resurrection at Christ's return (Phil. 3:20,21). "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8).
Our eternal life and present spiritual life are based on the miraculous resurrection of Christ. He assured the disciples, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:19). His victory over death assures us of our victory over death. "Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (physically died - 1 Cor. 15:20). As the firstfruits were the pledge of the remainder of the harvest, so Christ's resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection.
2. Resurrection life in the present
At first glance the text of Romans 8:11 seems to be focusing on this same biblical truth - the hope of bodily resurrection of the believer. The context, however, seems to indicate that the "life" promised here is the present possession of the child of God. Verse two affirms that "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."
Romans chapter eight emphasizes the wonderful, abundant life that God wants His children to experience now. It is this abundant life that is possible because of our union with Christ at salvation (Rom. 6:1-4). We are free from sin's dominion and the law's condemnation! (Romans 6:14; 8:1).
The same God who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us who believe. "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise ... the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:13,18-20).
It is this resurrection life of our Savior that we need to rely on for the challenges of daily life (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 5:10). Let us claim this promise of Romans 8:11 and walk by faith. This assures us of God's overruling providence (8:28) and unfailing love (8:32-39).
Our Father, we are encouraged by the assurance that this mortal body will someday be transformed into an immortal one. Thank you that we can appropriate Your resurrection life for the challenges of our daily walk. In Christ's name, amen.
The purpose of Grace Notes is to highlight the dynamics of abundant living as summarized in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (NKJV). Many articles are available online to freely use for personal ministry, newsletters, etc.. (To find an article by topic or key word, click "Grace Notes"/search.) Please pray for God's blessing on this internet ministry.
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Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward
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