By Not Known
“To know Christ and the power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3:10) are two things the apostle Paul desired for in life. In another letter, he writes “I pray that you would begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him. It is that same mighty power that raise Him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in heaven” (Eph. 1:19-20).
The Greek word dunamis (power) used in this passage is where our English word dynamite or dynamic comes from. Paul said God wants to give dynamite power to all who believe in Him.
Joni Eareckson Tada understood and experienced this truth. Her life was drastically altered when she broke her neck in a diving accident. She was just 17 years old when she became a quadriplegic. Every day, Joni relied on someone to cut her food, to brush her teeth, to wipe her spit, to clean her runny nose… She experienced deep depression and was even suicidal. But God blessed her with Christian friends who introduced her to Jesus Christ. In her book When is it Right to Die? Joni shares what she has learned in the midst of her chronic pain and sufferings. She turned her struggles into opportunities to witness for Christ. Today, Joni is a Christian author, singer, radio host, celebrity, founder of Joni and Friends ministry and a wife.
Although our circumstances are different from Joni’s, we have our own struggles and battles. This Easter, let us remember what the resurrection of Jesus Christ can do for those who believe in Him.
Assurance of salvation. The resurrection of Jesus is connected with the power of the cross. “He (Jesus) forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross (Col. 2:13b-14). The cross assured us the forgiveness of our sins, and also the grace to forgive those who have wronged us.
Eternal Life. One day we will all die but we do not need to fear death. Jesus promised us eternal life (John 3:16), the resurrection of our bodies, (1 Cor. 15:51-52) and a place for us in heaven (John 14:2-4).
Hope for today. Jesus’ resurrection transformed the disciples (Luke 24:13-32). Two thousand years later, His promise to us remains the same. No matter what our circumstances are, Jesus said “I have come, that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
Courage to witness. We believe that Christ has the power to give eternal life to all who believe in Him so like the disciples, we share the gospel with our friends and families and become part of the great missionary movement in obedience to the Great Commission.