Resurrection Power
Dr. Zachary Tims, Jr.

The passages in Philippians 3: 7-14, are most meaningful for applying the principle of “resurrection power” in our lives as Christians. The significance of these verses pull into focus its relevance for understanding seasons of suffering that eventually culminate into victories.

The subject is pertinent during this high holy season of celebrating the Passover Lamb of God, and the redemptive, substitutionary atonement through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s profound theology states it perfectly, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ…”

In times of suffering and loss, let us reflect on what the resurrection power does for us. The devil, our enemy, thought he could destroy us, but since we have chosen the path of righteousness through the message of the Gospel, we are redeemed from our sins. “we all have sinned and fallen short…” so which one of us can evade the need to be forgiven for the wrongs we’ve done? We were resurrected into newness of life, redeemed from the curse, and the penalty of the law, through Jesus Christ, who made us righteous before a holy God. Not by the will of man but by the power of His resurrection.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

In suffering the loss of a job, a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, a negative doctor’s report, bad grades, car repo’s, and all the drama the evil world provides, Paul states, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

We will go through some hard times of life. We will suffer loss and have to work through the pain. Yet, through all the suffering of imprisonment, beatings, mockery, and injustices, Paul survived because he KNEW the power of resurrection. God raised him from a dead situation, to prove to the world of non-believers that we can be raised in newness of life and redeemed from our dead circumstances, no matter what they are!

The urgency Paul meant was that, “If by ANY means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Realize that no matter how tough it gets, we have the power to rise above any adversity. If you are a believer, the promise of victory is reachable and attainable. We can bounce back from any obstacle that life hits us with and win the victory. So Paul give us the roadmap to the successful implications of resurrection power.

Humility: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but…” Humble yourself to the cross, the reality of the finished work on calvary.

Faith: “…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” Don’t let your past rob you of your future.

Diligence: “I press toward the mark…” Determine to stay in the race. Don’t give up.

Focus: “for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” If you read the Word every day, you will keep the resurrection power clearly in your focus and not on the negative circumstances of life.