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The resurrection of Jesus is a central theme of our Christian faith. It is easy for us to give mental agreement to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and it is also possible that we go through life without experiencing the power that His resurrection gives. In the days of the early Church, Christians faced fierce persecutions for their faith. They need to count the cost for following Christ. Following Christ would mean being imprisoned, being beaten up and even death. Hope of the resurrection gives Christians meaning beyond this life.
However, today in Singapore, we are not much in danger of being arrested for professing our Christian beliefs. But for us there are many challenges and also other pressing concerns that occupy us. As Christians, we need a clear sense of direction based on the Bible. For instance, how should one handle money? Can a Christian gamble as a form of entertainment? What about issues such as abortion and divorce? Can the ends justify the means of carrying out one’s actions? How can a Christian affect the society in a Christ-like way?
The Christian can also be controlled by various fears – fears about job security, relationships, health and finance can drive one to distraction. This is not how the Risen Christ wants a believer to live. The peace that Jesus imparts to Christians is not about the absence of conflict but about the experience of the Holy Spirit in believers – the presence of God in their lives all the time. We will probably always experience fear and difficulties. The challenge is to find a way beyond these fears so that we are not controlled or disabled by them.
The Apostle Paul prayed that all believers would come to know and experience the power of Jesus’ resurrection. “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 1:18-20).
Let us come afresh to “Experience God” – God’s calling, God’s riches and God’s resurrection power – all made possible because of the Risen Christ.
