Resurrection Power Follows Death to Self
“And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did].” Philippians 3:10 AMP
Our life comes from our Father, who is the essence of Life and the giver of Life. The life we receive from God is both for our existence and for our way of living. To live life to its fullest, we must live dependently on God in both our submitted position and submitted behavior. When we do, God’s life, in all its power and energy and vitality, is available to us. No matter where you are or who you know, whatever you’ve been forgiven of, you can worship God with your heart, live in obedience, and grow in your understanding and experience.
Jesus modeled this life for us. His entire life on earth was lived in dependency on God as a servant, even to the point of dying the death on a cross to pay the price for our reconciliation back to God. He faced difficulties, and yet He obeyed. He was criticized, but he finished His mission. He left glory to come to a fallen earth to pay our ransom. He also walked in a strong anointing where sick were healed, dead were raised, bound were delivered, and the broken were restored. Christ’s message was the same for us – to know God’s resurrection power, count the cost, die to self by picking up our own cross, and follow Him.
Our cross is denying our own comfort in order to serve someone else. Our cross is facing the challenges and troubles of living in a fallen world in order to fulfill the calling He has given to us. Our cross represents that we belong to someone else, and we aren’t living for our own agenda. We’re servants that submit to a loving Savior and King. In that dying to self, we are promised to know the life, power, and glory of God.
Our cross isn’t about carrying something Jesus already carried for us. Jesus died to pay the price of our sin, redeeming us to a new covenant in His blood. His salvation includes peace and wholeness. It includes mental health, physical health, freedom from bondage, provision, and protection. Even though we life in a fallen world, we can face the dysfunctions, troubles, and persecutions as one sold out to God. When we aim to serve Him instead of ourselves, God will back us up with His Spirit and His power!
Application: Are you facing a challenge or difficulty? Say to the Lord, “Thank you for this opportunity to die to self!” Then take time to surrender yourself to the Lord and let Him do His work in you.