Interesting question for sure! How do we live in Christ’s resurrection now that it is the Monday after? “Easter” is a season on new Life. Whether or not we celebrate Easter, or strictly adhere to only observing the day of His Resurrection, there is a point beyond the celebratory season. The crucifixion, burial, and resurrection speaks strongly of a reality intended for us all to live in now—the resurrection Life or the exchanged Life. Christ was resurrected on that Sunday some 2,000 years ago and now He wants to rise from the tomb of your old life. WOW!
Easter Is Or Easter Don’t
Many people leave their Easter services (this year most from the comfort of their own homes…COVID-19), have a special meal, and feel satisfied to have remembered and celebrated the Son of God. But on the following Monday, do we have the reality of that celebration still in our lives? Most would have to admit that they don’t. Many experience the day, feel good about the end of winter, and then continue along in their same ole ways. Their Monday is no different than any other day.
On Sunday some sang, “He’s Alive!” but is He living in us today, the day after? How do I experience Resurrection Sunday on Monday and beyond? This is an exciting reality, and one that each of us can experience. We can actually live in resurrection throughout the year and this is beyond being born-again. Born-again is simply the beginning of the journey, the rest is living where the Life is Christ. Resurrection reality is beyond just remembering the Passion of the Christ, it is experiencing Him, witnessing Him, being IN HIM while He lives in you! Now that is something to truly celebrate—His resurrection from within me.
Resurrection Life is the Exchanged Life
Over the next few days I will share what this exchange looks like, and how we experience Resurrection Sunday, today. Here is some scriptures and a quote on this reality as a road map.
“For me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21).
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (II Corinthians 5:17).
“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 delivered Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20b).
“I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me-I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me [that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Phil. 4:13, Amplified Bible).
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing“ (John 15:5).
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” (Romans 8:8-9).
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17).
To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:38).
Exchanged Life
“Christians are continually trying to change their lives; but God calls us to experience the exchanged life. Christianity is not a self-improvement program. It isn’t a reformation project. It’s resurrection! It is new life! And it is expressed in terms of a total exchange of identity. Jesus Christ identified Himself with us in our death in order that we might be identified with Him in His resurrection. We give Christ all that we were spiritually dead, guilty sinners and Christ gives us all that He is resurrected life, forgiveness, righteousness, acceptance.” ~ Bob George
While I love the Resurrection message and the alter call can make me weep again and again after all these years—still, there’s often a hollow ‘feeling’ in the days that follow. What should be happening? Will I feel joy, or be sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Will I be different somehow?
Today’s message is, for me, the footprint of the walk. True life imparted creates something new! Praise God for His word to us
Thanking you for this encouragement LeAnn! Hope you like the next two as well. Blessing you and loving you. Stay safe in your Shelter in Place ?
Easter is over Resurrection Life is not!
AMEN Winnie! Love you!