The Power To Change
By Jeremy D. Joy

"THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION" - PHILIPPIANS 3:10

Change is hard, especially personal change. We stubbornly resist change because it calls upon us to operate outside of our comfort zones. We become discouraged as a result of repeated failure to make meaningful changes in our lives only to resort to our old habits. The underlying problem is that we depend upon our own power and resources, which are insufficient and inadequate to produce significant changes, much less maintain them over time.

In order to improve our lives, we need a power higher than ourselves. The word "power" occurs 57 times in the New Testament. It is used to describe the most powerful event in the history of the world-the power of the resurrection of Jesus;

"...and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead... " (Romans 1:4).

"...and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places..." (Ephesians 1:19-20).

The English words "power" and "dynamite" are from the same original Greek word providing a vivid image of the power involved in the resurrection of Jesus. The same dynamite power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to transform our weaknesses into strengths. Resurrection power can dramatically change us!

It can cancel our past. Our sins can be eliminated or neutralized, not by animal sacrifices, good works, or church membership, but by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:6-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Do not short-circuit the power of God by rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus!

It can conquer our problems. We have a lack of power to overcome our problems, but we can rise above our problems by the same power that caused Jesus to rise from the dead (Romans 8:31-39). We simply have to access it through prayer; the Scriptures, and worship.

It can change our personality. What would you like to change about yourself and what are you doing about it? There is a sharp contrast between the power of God at work in our lives and depending upon our power. We will remain the same unless we walk in the Spirit and produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

Are you ready for spiritual change? You can be changed by resurrection power today!

 

 

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