Raised!

Raised!

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:11 KJV

The Context and Focus:

The summary of the entire chapter 8 of the book of Romans is about the old man and the new life, their features and characteristics, as well as their eternal realities. It is important to consider both, so I know who I am and where i stand, so I can make the right decision which will impact my eternity. The very first step is to know who I am. The first verse of this chapter gives an insight, when it states quite categorically that: 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' I note that it is not first about the walk but the location. It is about those who are IN Christ Jesus. It is my location that will define the allocation, the focus, the pursuits and the priorities. That first verse refers to the location of the believer and also specifies how and where the believer walks. I can make any claim I want in public, but my life's walk will always reflect my command centre. Men have placed a lot of emphasis on looking or talking the part, but not walking the part. We have been able to keep up the pretence, because man is easily deceived and distracted. 

The Message:

There is a language of people who attend church, or the 'looks' of people who come in to church; however, God is not man, and because He made the heart, He knows all its machinations. He cannot be deceived, so the best use of my life will be to discover the purpose of its Creator, and walk with Him to fulfil it. I need to know and surrender to the One who can help me walk right. God made a promise to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, because it is only by the Spirit that a man can receive empowerment and enabling for the walk that this life of impact requires. The Holy Spirit is God; His Spirit cannot promote a life that goes contrary to God's Word, or support a lie. It is this same God who exerted his power to reverse the irreversible, raising Jesus from the dead, so He could be the perfect offering for sin. Just reflect on the power that it would take to reverse death, render it powerless, and then extend the same grace to all who come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. That same power has not lost efficacy or impact. He is still very much active, seeking to show Himself strong in the lives of all who come to Him in total surrender. 

The Conclusion:

The verse above goes further to explain the impact of this power. My mortal body is kept back by sin, but the power that raised Jesus from the day is able to empower me to live above sin. I note that the verse refers to quickening my mortal body, not the old man of the flesh. The old man needs to die, because it cannot be born again. The old man is under the control and influence of the devil, but when I surrender my life to God, he is able to work in and through me, quickening me to walk with and work for Him. This is why a man can consider his past, as well as current reality, and come to the definite realisation that it is only through God he could have done all he has achieved. Allowing God to live in me is the best use of my life. Allowing the Holy Spirit full and unrestricted access to my life is the only way to get God's best for me. My mortal body is just for a season, but God can work the eternal using the earthly. That is why God's great treasures are in earthen vessels, so He can show forth His power. He wants to do the mighty and the miraculous, but He needs the yielded. Am I one? Would I yield? God's time of favour is here.