After coming to know Jesus and developing intimacy with Him, the next step in our ultimate calling to conform to the image of Christ is to know the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:7-10). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is pivotal to Christianity as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:14-17, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin]”. If the resurrection of Jesus is this essential in our Christian walk, then we ought to devote ourselves to understand it and the power associated with it.
Jesus, after His resurrection from the dead, is now seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:20-21). He is not only seated at this position of immeasurable power but all the authority associated with this position has been given to Him by Father (Matthew 28:18). It is with this same authority that Jesus commands us to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19); He has made us His ambassadors, delegating to us His authority that far exceeds all authority on the earth and in the heavens so that we will represent Him and lead all people to Him. Through this authority associated with His resurrection, we are to cast out devils, speak with new tongues, lay our hands on the sick and see them recover, and tread upon all the power of the enemy and suffer no harm (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:19).
Jesus expects us to do the works that He did (John 14:12). Therefore if we are going to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ then we must also walk in that power, which heals the sick, raises the dead, delivers from demonic oppression, and demonstrates the power and the glory of the kingdom of God. This is not an option but a necessary component of our call to conform to the image of Christ. As Jesus taught: to not know His power, which is now made available to us through His resurrection, is a sure way to lead yourself into error (cf. Matthew 22:29).
The Scripture is clear that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). The key to walking in this power, thereby conforming to the image of Christ, is to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word (Matthew 17:20), and develop intimacy with Him (Matthew 7:23).
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
© August 29, 2017.