This Easter, even though we are meeting online or with limited gatherings, we can still rejoice in the unchanging truths that Christ really died and really was raised back to life again. Two thousand years on, despite countless attempts to eradicate Christianity, literally billions of people have not only been inspired by the Easter story, but they have also personally experienced the power and presence of the living Christ.
All people need a power beyond themselves to live the best lives. Maybe you need a power to overcome many challenges in your life: fear, addictions, depression, destructive behaviour, dysfunctional relationships or negative circumstances that are just pulling you down and down. Possibly you even identify with the lady who told Dr Cho, the pastor of the world’s largest church: ‘don’t talk to me about heaven and hell. I am already living in hell.’
The good news of Easter is that God can lift you out of whatever pit you are in and raise you up to a life of conquest and fulfilment. And the best way that we can learn how to be raised to new life is by following the example of Jesus. In Philippians 2:5-11 the apostle Paul, who himself dramatically experienced the power of the resurrected Christ, tells us very clearly how we can do this. Here we see some powerful lessons about how we should relate to one another and how we should live with the same mindset as Christ. Each of these lessons will help elevate our human relationships and will lift us up to new heights of blessing from God.
1. Humble yourself (Philippians 2:6-8; James 5:6; Proverbs 6:16-19; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 23:12; Matthew 11:29)
2. Obey God (Philippians 2:8; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; John 15:10; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 26:39)
3. Make Jesus the Lord of your life (Philippians 2:9-11)
Apply
Have you followed the example of Jesus to live in total humility? Jesus was the King of all but he humbled Himself in so many ways on earth. He was God but He came to this world as a servant (Philippians 2:6-8). The Bible has many references to the awfulness of pride and the awesomeness of humility (James 5:6; Proverbs 6:16-19; 2 Chronicles 7:14). Pride is top of the list of the seven things that God hates. Humility, in contrast, is one of the great keys to spiritual revival and restoration. When people turn from their pride, ego and self-justification and humbly call on God, He will always bring great healing and salvation. Jesus was the perfect model of humility: born in the humblest of circumstances, He subjected Himself to the limitations of a human body and taught that the least valued would become the greatest in the kingdom of God (Matthew 23:12). In other words, ‘the way up in the kingdom of God is the way down.’ Humility was at the very core of the character of Jesus (Matthew 11:29). Jesus told His disciples not to be like proud religious leaders who were so preoccupied with their own position and image; instead they needed to be ready and willing to serve, and to prove the point He washed their feet. And finally, to save and serve all humanity, He renounced all His rights and endured the humiliation of crucifixion. Jesus gave up everything so that we can experience every blessing. But we too have to humble ourselves to know God.
Are you at heart an obedient or disobedient person? Do you obey and honour your parents, your church leaders, the governing authorities in our nations? Above all do you obey God? Obedience is one of the greatest keys to knowing the blessing of God. Disobedience to God and to God-given authorities brings trouble. From creation, the first man and woman didn’t not obey the simple commands of God which resulted in great pain and many curses. All through Old Testament history, prophets, priests and Kings called for God’s people to obediently walk in His ways. But time and again there came trouble and strife because of disobedience. When King Saul tried to cover up his disobedience with some religious sounding talk, the prophet Samuel famously exposed his hypocrisy (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Obedience really is a key issue for the world, for the church and for our lives and families. A world of rebellion is a world in trouble. Even Jesus did not do it His own way. From early years He was obedient to His parents. He always did His Heavenly Father’s will. He taught His disciples that they must also obey His teaching (John 15:10). Obedience was at the heart of the command of Jesus to make and multiply disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). The ultimate example of the obedience of Jesus was seen at the end of His life on earth (Philippians 2:8). In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went through a great struggle to be obedient. Three times Jesus prayed: ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ This moment when Jesus surrendered His will to do the Father’s will was the defining moment of breakthrough for the whole world for all generations. Because of the obedience of Jesus, we can be freed from our sins and be raised up to enjoy a new life of blessing with Christ. It’s one thing to say you have given your heart to Jesus but have you surrendered your own strong will? Have you passed the Gethsemane test? When you do, you and others will be raised up to new levels of blessing. God will always exalt you when you are humble and obedient.
Have you decided to make Jesus the Lord of your life? When you come to God in humility and obedience, God will work a miracle of resurrection in your life just as He did with Jesus. When Jesus obediently humbled himself (Philippians 2:9-11) God permitted His only Son to die but He didn’t permit Him to stay dead. For God raised Him from dead with great power and Has made Lord and ruler of all things. The day is coming, and sooner than we may imagine, when every knee shall bow to Christ (Philippians 2:10-11). Whatever situation you are in today have no doubt that Jesus is alive and wants to raise you up to a new life of blessing. The old can go; old sins, old habits, old problems, old rebellion; the new can come: new forgiveness, new hope, new start, new life.
