One of Paul’s prayers for other Christians was that they would realize the greatness of the spiritual power that is ours in Christ. He prays that the Ephesian church would know…what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. Eph 1:18-21
In the last issue, we observed that the kingdom WON by Christ, the second Adam, is the kingdom LOST by the first Adam. Jesus defeated Satan, Sin, and Death at the cross then inaugurated his kingdom—the reign of righteousness over Adam’s original kingdom. The disciple of Christ follows a king who is freeing Adam’s kingdom from its slavery to sin and now calls his followers to model the new, Christ-like humanity. We are to recover Adam’s original calling, exercising dominion over every part of our lives and every corner of the planet for Christ, who himself is The High King.
However, accomplishing this mission is impossible without accessing the power of the resurrection in our own lives. In the text above, Paul links the overthrow of Death (the resurrection) with the overthrow of Sin and Satan’s angels. The same power that defeated Death (in the resurrection) has defeated Sin and Satan.
But, you might say, if they are defeated, why do we still experience death, sin, and temptation? The answer is that Christ’s victory over these tyrants has two stages, the “already” and the “not yet.” Satan, Sin and Death have already been DEFEATED but not yet DESTROYED. In World War Two in the Pacific, there were Japanese soldiers who were cut off from communication with their leaders and kept fighting even after Japan had surrendered. Similarly, Satan, Sin, and Death are conducting guerilla warfare against Christ and his followers, even though they are already ultimately defeated.
Jesus has inaugurated his kingdom of righteousness. He will return to consummate that kingdom, when 1) Satan and his angels will be cast into the lake of fire, 2) we will be made unable to sin, and 3) death shall be no more. Here are three thoughts about accessing the power of the resurrection during this stage of church history.
1. You already have the weapons to defeat Satan’s temptation. Satan has been disarmed but not destroyed. Paul says of Christ, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them.” Col. 2:15. Even disarmed, he is way too strong for you. There is only one way to defeat temptation—using the supernatural weapons of warfare that are ours in Christ. We are to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Eph 6:11. Are you remembering daily to put on your spiritual armor?
2. You already have the power to say, “No” to sin. Christ's ascension to the right hand of God brought about the sending of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells inside believers, empowering us to exhibit godly heart attitudes. As we walk in the Spirit, he produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness. and self-control Gal 5:22-23. Christ’s ascension also led to the giving of spiritual gifts. When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men….” And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Eph 4:8-12
New Testament believers have enormous power for resisting sin because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit who lives in them and who builds community in the Body of Christ. Are you walking in the Spirit? Are you connected in the Body?
3. Kingdom expansion is accomplished through prayer. Psalm 2:8 lets us listen in on a conversation between God the Father and God The Son. The Lord (Father) said to me (Son),“You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. Right now, both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for you. During stage one of Christ’s kingdom establishment, the expansion of righteousness against the kingdom of darkness is possible. But it can only come through the exercise of spiritual weapons, especially prayer. That power is unimaginable, because it is the power of the resurrection. Are you tapping into the power of prayer for the spiritual battles you and your loved ones fight?
For further thought
1. If an audit were done on your life to determine the flow of spiritual power into your life from these three sources, which would be the strongest? Which would be the weakest?
2. What one step of action could you take this week to improve the spiritual power flow into your life?
