THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE RESURRECTION
This post is taken from my book, The Perfect Savior, a forty-day Easter devotional published by Our Daily Bread. Order from Amazon or BarneyCargile.com
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We faced each other through Plexiglas. Brian was serving time for drug charges. His bare arms sported occult-related tattoos. He rattled off a litany of his offenses against God—white supremacy, drugs, gang violence, sorcery and sexual sins. Looking down he asked, “Do you think I can change my life?” I assured him that the power of Jesus can transform anyone when we submit to him.
We all have thought patterns and habits we long to change. Thank God, through Christ’s resurrection power, we can experience transformation. Consider Peter. He cowered before a servant girl, denying Jesus (John 18:16-17). Fifty days later, he stood before thousands and boldly accused them of killing the Messiah (Acts 2:23-24). What happened? The life-changing power of the resurrection.
Thomas was transformed from doubter to believer (John 20:24-28. Saul of Tarsus from Christian-killer to world-renowned evangelist (Galatians 1:13-17). Millions through the centuries have experienced similar transformations.
In Ephesians 1:19-20 Paul prays, “That you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” The same power that reached into Christ’s tomb and made his lifeless corpse spring to life is ours.
This is good news for Brian—as well as for all of us. The power of our resurrected Lord can transform us. We simply need to embrace Christ’s victory and allow God to begin the transformation process.
Brian fully surrendered his life to Jesus and was baptized. Today he’s married with children, owns a business, and dreams of opening a ranch for troubled youth. This is the transforming power of the resurrection, made possible because our all-powerful Lord rolled the stone away and walked out of the grave, with the power to transform our lives, and the promise of a new life.
Ponder:
When have you experienced the transforming power of the resurrection?
Do you know someone who needs this power? What is your prayer for that person?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study John 20:19-29.
All-powerful Jesus, I stand in need of you resurrection power to transform my life. Please do a work in my heart to make this possible.