All believers have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead working in us.
God's resurrection power working in us means we can turn from overeating, exercise as we should, and live above the base desires of our flesh. We can overcome our evil desires and walk free from our past. Resurrection power is elevating power; it raises us up!
God’s power overcomes our weakness: “...so that the all-surpassing power is shown to be from God, and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The Greek word for “all-surpassing power” is “hyperbole,” meaning God’s power is over the top; it’s more than enough, more than sufficient for every problem, every temptation, every fall, every struggle in life.
Jesus’ resurrection power transforms our weaknesses into strength (Hebrews 11:32-34), makes us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), and leads us in triumphal procession wherever we go (2 Corinthians 2:14). God’s kingdom is all about resurrection power! “The Kingdom of God is not just talking; it is living by God’s power” (1 Corinthians 4:20 TLB).
Let’s see how Jesus’ resurrection power raises us up, sets us free, and keeps us living free:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, (5) who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV).
Question 3. According to 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV, what does the resurrection of Jesus Christ do for us?
Think of this: The “living hope” God gives cannot be taken from us any more than Jesus could die again. Jesus has risen, is alive forever, and so is our hope!
I don’t know about you, but one of the reasons I would overeat food (or involve myself with any other sins of the flesh) is because I felt thoroughly hopeless. I was so discouraged about my life (my past, my wrong choices, etc.) that I was swallowed up in darkness. Have you ever been there?
Well, friend, no believer need ever be hopeless; Jesus is risen and can never die again, and neither can our hope. We have “living hope” founded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. God gives us, by His great mercy and grace, “new birth into a living hope.” He does this “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Jesus was lying in a dark tomb, dead and buried for three days and three nights. The disciples of Jesus were all overwhelmingly discouraged (Luke 24:17), as it seemed their hope had died with Jesus. The temptation to return to their old lives was strong (John 21:3)!
But then Jesus’ dark tomb filled with light, the body of Jesus filled with life, Jesus rose from the dead, and He exited that dark tomb filled with light and life! He revealed Himself to His disciples and many others and then ascended to His Father in victory! The disciples witnessed these things, and their hearts and lives were transformed so much that they gave their lives entirely to the preaching of the gospel.
But what does Jesus’ resurrection do for believers today?
Jesus’ resurrection fills all believers with a living hope. We have confidence that with Jesus living inside of us, we, too, will conquer sin and death and live forever with Jesus. This hope is an elevating hope:
This hope lifts us above the pull of sin as we see Jesus emerge from the grave victorious over Satan.
This hope removes the fear of the grave as we see Jesus standing on top of it in victory.
This hope draws us up toward heaven, counteracting and overcoming sin’s downward pull.
And so our hope, like Jesus Himself, is living! It can never die. Our living hope overcomes our discouragement, lifts us out of despair, sets our hearts and dreams on abiding with Jesus now and forever.
Now, let me ask you another question: If you had God’s power as a shield against all the attacks of Satan in your life, do you think you could be free from all forms of fleshly sins? Read 1 Peter 1:5 NIV before you answer.