Christianity 101: Building a Firm FoundationSampel

Strength to Go the Distance...

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
John 11:25 NKJV

We are beginning to understand why the celebration of Easter is so meaningful to Christians around the world.

When we receive by faith that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, God’s Word tells us that our faith alone—not anything we can do—provides the righteousness of Christ to clothe us. It has been imputed or given to us (Romans 4:22-25). With this right standing, we are now spiritually situated with Him in heavenly places, far above the principalities and powers of our adversary, the devil (Ephesians 1:18-23, 2:4-6).

When Jesus conquered death, He defeated the king of death (Hebrews 2:14). So, not only are we seated with Jesus, but He has also given us authority in His name to now take dominion over the enemy’s strategies against us. We will discuss this further in a few days.

Jesus tells us that He is the resurrection and the life!

We previously learned that when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden, one of the consequences was the death of that deep part of their being—their spirit—where they had communed with God. When we receive Christ by faith (John 1:12), the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead immediately breathes His life into us, reviving our once-dead spirit. Think of it as spiritual CPR! We are also sealed by Him that we belong to God and have passed from death into eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22).

The third person of the Trinity—the Holy Spirit—God Himself; co-equal, co-existent, co-eternal with the Father and the Son now lives in our revived spirit (Romans 8:9). His power is available to us in any situation to comfort, give direction, and empower us with His strength.

When we surrender to the Holy Spirit’s work and healing touch, He is able to transform us from the inside out with His cultivated fruit of God’s love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22-23). And the overflow of the Spirit’s supernatural gifts, described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and demonstrated by the early church, are available to us for the asking.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit living in us gives us the power to live extraordinary lives no matter what comes around the corner on our adventure in Jesus. Let’s be continually filled to overflowing in Him!

• What stirs your heart from John 11:23-27?
• What do you glean from Paul’s prayer for us in Ephesians 1:18-23?
• How does John 16:5-7 encourage you?
• Ponder what you learn from Romans 8:11-17.
• What are the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit now available to a believer in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10?