Tap on the resurrection power of Jesus

The Apostle Paul, perhaps while in house arrest in Rome, also faced unpleasant emotions, yet in his letter to the Church in Philippi also had a theme on “joy.” He writes, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!” (Philippians 3:1a) and again, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). What is the secret of the Apostle so we can also experience joy in whatever circumstances we are in?

The first secret of Apostle Paul is his strong grip on the Word of God. He emphasizes the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ – the finished work of Jesus Christ is enough for our salvation and those who truly love Jesus Christ, obeys God’s commands. This is the consistent message of the Word of God.

The second secret is his secured identity as a child of God. This gives him the confidence for it is based on his relationship with Jesus Christ. Where can we truly base our confidence?

He points out that putting confidence in what sinful and frail human nature can do is futile and weak and it truly cannot save. Compared to what he received from knowing Jesus Christ in a personal and meaningful way, he considers his former way of life as rubbish. Only through Jesus Christ was he able to know and experience what it means to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Only through Jesus Christ he could be assured of eternal life now – abundant and meaningful life now – and hope of heaven later.

The third secret is his passion to know more of Jesus moment by moment. There are so many who say they know Jesus. The sad part is that they only know “about Jesus” but not in a personal and relational way. Others may have started opening their heart to Jesus but do not have the discipline to nurture a growing relationship with Him and the power of His resurrection. Apostle Paul wanted a dynamic, growing relationship with Jesus – knowing and experiencing the power of His resurrection.

This means tapping on such indescribable power of God who alone is able to raise someone from the dead. True transformation is realized when we know we are forgiven because Jesus paid it all when He died on the cross, and also when we appropriate His resurrection power that gives us freedom to break free from the power of sin in our lives.

In the midst of suffering and pain, we can also tap on the resurrection power of Jesus so we can learn what it means to suffer for and with Jesus. Facing the reality of death, we can have such confidence as we put our trust in His promise in John 11:25 – “Jesus said to her (Martha), I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

We may not be able to control the different circumstances that come our way, but we can choose to return to joy and experience fullness of joy, because we are able to tap on the resurrection power of Jesus.

This is what the Psalmist is saying in Psalm 16:11  (ESV) “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Greg Ambrose Roasa is senior pastor of the Gospel Church of Manila in Binondo.