UP FROM THE GRAVE (Freelance Friday)

Resurrection:

1. Rising from dead

2. Revival of something old or long disused

Synonyms: rebirth, revival, put back into use

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Definitions? Wait a second. Am I at the right blog? This doesn't sound like a "Carol" post.

Well it is. It's actually my first post as part a blog chain with my friends at ChristianWriters.com (see the links to the left and read them all).

Our blog theme for April is "resurrection." Originally, I wrote a very clever post about zombies. Don't worry. I related it back to Jesus. But upon reflection, it occurred to me that zombies as my first Christian Writers post might scare away my blog chain friends. So, here's my grown-up attempt at a more "scholarly" post.

Back to the dictionary.

When thinking about resurrection, I wondered if there was something else besides Jesus’ resurrection; something inherent in the word itself that might be an encouragement to us. I found the following:

Types of Resurrection

Jesus’ physical resurrection is the foundation of our Christian assurance of eternal life with Him. But His physical resurrection is also a metaphor for three types of spiritual resurrections.

Resurrection means “rebirth.” Before we accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation, we were dead to Him. When we believed, Christ raised us to life with Him. It is the underlying meaning of the phrase “born again in Christ.” We were dead spiritually. We are born again. We have been spiritually resurrected.

Resurrection also means “revival.” If life has gotten in the way, worries may have overtaken us. We may have stopped seeking after God. We may no longer be attuned to His leading or feel Him pursuing our hearts. Sometimes Christ needs to raise us BACK to faith. We may need to ask Him to resurrect our faith. And then trust that He will.

Resurrection also means, “to put back into use. “ Perhaps, our faith is strong, but God has something new for us to do. A way He can use us for His purpose. Are we attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Can we sense when God is trying to resurrect us for His purpose?

The Timing of Resurrection

Jesus spent three days in the grave. The God of the universe could have let Jesus die on the cross and then bring him back to life immediately. But He didn’t. Jesus lay dead for three days before his physical resurrection. We don’t know why he lay dead for three days. We don’t need to know why.

What we can apply to our faith is, in addition to trusting God to bring us back to spiritual life, we must also trust in His timing. God is able to spiritually resurrect us immediately. But WE may need time for a divine process to take place within us. God meets us where we are and at whatever level of our faith.

Then He allows us the time we need for the resurrection to occur.

Jesus’ Example of Resurrection

Jesus was our example not only in life. He was also an example to us in His death and resurrection. We are born again in Christ; resurrected from the death of sin. He can resurrect faith that may have faltered.

And Christ can raise us to new life again and again to new use for Him each day.

Rise up and sing praise for His ongoing work of resurrection in us. Up from the grave He arose…

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for the cross. But not for the cross only, but also for your resurrection, giving us full assurance of your victory over death. Please resurrect our faith when we need it. Please help us be patient for your timing. Please utilize us for new uses that are for your glory. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you experienced resurrection in Christ? Have you had your faith renewed? Are you being put to new use by Christ?