It’s Time for Some Stones to Be Rolled Away! By Shawn Smith
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that can get us out of any situation. It’s the same power that can deliver us from all evil. It’s the same power that can allow us to tear down all strongholds. It’s God’s Resurrection power!
We all know that in order for a resurrection to take place, something has to die. Whatever sin that’s separating us from the God of the Resurrection has to go! It’s time for some stones to be rolled away. Once we say "Yes" to Christ, we are freed from the control that sin haw over us.
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—"
Romans 6:5-6 NIV
We’ve been delivered. Jesus lives inside of us, so we must act like it. We may say that we no longer party hard at the club on Saturdays, with our drinking buddies, but that we now party at church on Sunday, with the praise & worship team. That’s wonderful, but are we really listening to the Word that God has for us when the pastor is preaching? And is Sunday the only day of the week that we are listening to God? We may say that we no longer swear/use curse words. That’s fantastic, but are we still tearing people down with our words? Are we gossiping? Are we speaking life into our children? Are we spreading the good news of Jesus every chance we get? We may say that we no longer do the things that we used to do, just to grab the attention of others. That’s great, but are we doing things that will get God’s attention? Are we tithing faithfully and cheerfully? Are we feeding the hungry and clothing the naked? Are we consistent in our prayer life?
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
We were saved by grace! He paid a ransom for our sins! So, we can boldly proclaim that the old is dead and the new is alive! I say that’s cause for a Resurrection celebration!
Thank God for our personal resurrections!
Shawn Smith