The Resurrection Life

By John Woodward
March 2, 1998

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal
bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11, NKJV).

Is this text speaking primarily of our future resurrection, or the
quality of Christ’s resurrection life in us who truly believe? Consider
both blessings.

1. Resurrection life in the future

One of our senior citizens remarked recently that she knew three people
who died that week. She had three funerals to attend! For the child of
God, however, "We sorrow not as those who have no hope" (1 Thess.
4:13). Although grief is valid (John 11:35), the believer is consoled
by the promise of a bodily resurrection at Christ’s return (Phil.
3:20,21). "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord"
(2 Cor. 5:8).

Our eternal life and present spiritual life are based on the miraculous
resurrection of Christ. He assured the disciples, "Because I live, you
will live also" (John 14:19). His victory over death assures us of our
victory over death. "Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (physically died - 1
Cor. 15:20). As the firstfruits were the pledge of the remainder of the
harvest, so Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of our
resurrection.

2. Resurrection life in the present

At first glance the text of Romans 8:11 seems to be focusing on this
same biblical truth - the hope of bodily resurrection of the believer.
The context, however, seems to indicate that the "life" promised here
is the present possession of the child of God. Verse two affirms that
"the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from
the law of sin and death."

Romans chapter eight emphasizes the wonderful, abundant life that God
wants His children to experience now. It is this abundant life that is
possible because of our union with Christ at salvation (Rom. 6:1-4). We
are free from sin’s dominion and the law’s condemnation! (Romans 6:14;
8:1).

The same God who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us who believe.
"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel
of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with
the Holy Spirit of promise ... the eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what
are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 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 (Eph. 1:13,18-20).

It is this resurrection life of our Savior that we need to rely on for
the challenges of daily life (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 5:10). Let us claim this
promise of Romans 8:11 and walk by faith. This assures us of God’s
overruling providence (8:28) and unfailing love (8:32-39).