Galatians 2.20 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Believing in the Resurrection means living a TRANSFORMED life, not for something different, but through someone different.  It is GIVING up, the denial, the death of our old life as Jesus lives through us in a completely new one (not improved version of the old).  And though I could describe what I think this life looks like, I’ve realized that trying to write blogs that speak for God’s Word, instead of just stating what it already says, is kind of foolish.   A resurrected life, therefore, is a life that looks like the life of a man named Paul who began as a murderer of the followers of Jesus to being murdered for following Jesus—all because he met the resurrected Jesus face to face.  He is not an example of a preacher, church planter, apostle…he is the example of a Christian. In writing from a jail cell he wrote:

RESURRECTED JESUS gives me a calling and purpose

Philippians 1.1 Paul and Timothy servants of Jesus…Philippians 1.21 21 For to me to live is Christ…

RESURRECTED JESUS gives satisfaction as I live

Philippians 3.8-11 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead

 RESURRECTED JESUS gives me joy and peace when I fear or fail

Philippians 4.6-7  4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

RESURRECTED JESUS gives me new strength to endure

Philippians 4.12-13 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (I can make it)

RESURRECTED JESUS gives me courage as I suffer

Philippians 4.19 -21 Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 RESURRECTED JESUS gives me hope when I die

Philippians 3.20-2120 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.