The spiritual resurrection of the believer in Jesus Christ

Today we will begin to look at the consequences of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the believer for this life. For the two days after that we will look at the consequences for us when we die and the hope we have of a bodily resurrection.

We were spiritually dead

We have learned that we all partake in death because of Adam’s sin. The Bible is says that we were once dead because of our many sins. We used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else. (see Ephesians 2:1-3).

We have been raised to life with Christ

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favour that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favour and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:4-7)

All honour to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)

Through our union with Christ we have been born again by the Spirit. We were given a brand new life when God made us alive with Christ and forgave us our sins (Colossians 2:13). We have actually been resurrected spiritually and been brought into fellowship with God. It is all because of the love of God and the mighty power of the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. We have been born from above, into the Kingdom of God.

From the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God

When we came to Christ, we turned from darkness to light, from Satan’s power to God, and we entered into a new sphere of existence.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy,always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his bloodand has forgiven all our sins. (Col 1:10-14)

We have been made new people in Christ

Being born again, being raised to life with Christ, is such a radical experience that the Bible says that we have become new creations. What this means is that those who become Christians become new people. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

It doesn’t make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.May God’s mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God.(Gal. 6:15-16)

As new and different people we will think and live differently, no longer being ruled by the evil nature of sin. Since we have learned the truth that is in Jesus, we throw off our former way of life, which was rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Now there must be a spiritual renewal of our thoughts and attitudes. We must display a new nature because we are new people, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy, and true (Ephesians 4:20-24).

Therefore the Word of God (Ephesians 4:25-32) tells us to put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbour the truth”because we belong to each other. We are not to sin by letting anger gain control over us.We should never let the sun go down while we are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. If someone used to be a thief, he must stop stealing. We are all supposed to use our hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. No one should use foul or abusive language anymore. Everything we say should be good and helpful, so that our words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. We should not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way we live. Remember, he is the one who has identified us as his own, guaranteeing that we will be saved on the day of redemption. Therefore we must get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behaviour. Instead, we shall be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us.

The Bible says that we have stripped off the old evil nature with all its wicked deeds (Colossians 3:9). Now we have been called to put on a new way of life, it is a spiritual life made possible because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Col 3:10-17)

In baptism we were buried and raised with Christ to live a new life

Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was. Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life.We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.

Do not let sin control the way you live;do not give in to its lustful desires.Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God (Rom. 6:3-13)

The resurrection life touches all areas of our being

Our way of thinking is being changed:

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is (Rom. 12:2)

And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means.We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can’t understand us at all.How could they? For “Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?”

But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor.2:12-3:1)

Our character is being changed:

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. (Eph. 4:24 The Message)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure.And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Ro 5:3-5)

Our body is being healed:

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you. (Rom. 8:11)

He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds! (1 Peter 2:24)

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. (Jas 5:14-16)

Exercise:

What does it mean to you practically that you are:

a) raised with Christ

b) a new person in Christ

How have you been changed by the resurrection life?

Continue to memorise the previous Bible verses, and add this one to your list:

All honour to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).