The Essential Element of Faith – Acts 25:13-19

There are many people who know of and acknowledge Jesus’ resurrection, but for most of them, the resurrection is not practical in their lives. Do you place your hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? The resurrection is at the center of Christianity. It is the proof of who Jesus truly was, and it is the evidence of our forgiveness in Him. Without it, our faith would be futile and we would still be in our sins. The resurrection became a stark line that divided the church of Acts from the Pharisees along with the rest of the unbelieving world. It was the line that Apostle Paul placed his life on as he asserted that the crucified Jesus was in fact, alive. Jesus’ resurrection was not merely theoretical to Paul- it was his life. How can we, like Paul, live in the resurrection of Christ? Paul has three marks of a true believer- conviction, understanding, and communion. We will examine these marks and see how they effected Paul’s faith.

Conviction
Paul’s theology can be summed up in two words: In Christ. Paul was truly convinced that he was in Christ. To be in Christ refers to our status- you have been placed in Christ by God. Paul did not invent this- Jesus Himself taught His disciples to abide in Him. (Jn 15:4-5). In Christ, believers are assured of the love God has for them. (Rom 8:38-39) Paul knew nothing could separate him from the love of Christ- he was therefore able to do all things in Him. (Phil 4:13) Being in Christ refers not only to a status, but to a relationship. A believer’s relationship with Jesus is deep and intimate, and it results in sanctification as he becomes more like Christ, in Christ. (Eph 5:25-27)

How can we get in Christ? Whoever believes in Jesus is in Him. (Jn 3:16; Rom 6:3-4) They are united to Him in his death and resurrection, as it is shown by their self-denial and the lordship of Christ in their lives. (2Cor 5:17) This is the ultimate mark of being in Christ- the fruit of a new life. (Lk 8:15) How can we maximize our relationship with Jesus? Only those who consider Christ as supreme in their lives will walk in the reality of the resurrection like Paul. (Phil 3:8) Do not take your spiritual life lightly- without this kind of absolute commitment, we can not grow in sanctification.

Understanding
Paul understood how wicked he was. He never believed he had anything good in himself to offer to God. (1Cor 15:9) Do you think this way? Only those who are broken will look to and depend on Jesus. Apostle Paul declared it was by the grace of God that he was an apostle. (1Cor 15:10) Before his conversion, Paul was a savage persecutor of the early church. But upon his conversion, he saw his hopelessness in the light of God’s saving grace. God not only forgave Paul, but called him as an apostle. Paul understood how much Christ loved him as he fathomed the depth of his pardoned sin. He loved Jesus much because he knew he was forgiven much. (Lk 7:47) Without experiencing this, you will not remember the resurrection. The world and our flesh are able enough to make us forget God’s Word, but if you truly understand the seriousness of your sin and behold God’s amazing grace in the gospel daily, the resurrection of Christ will be real in your life.

Communion
Paul had communion with God by the Holy Spirit. Throughout Paul’s ministry, Jesus constantly visited Paul to encourage him. In the same way, the Spirit of God constantly brings God’s Word to remembrance. God speaks to us in His Word through the Holy Spirit, who helps us to understand and empowers us to obey. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, and as we are filled with God’s Word, He leads us in the way of Christ. By the Holy Spirit, we are always in the presence of Jesus and as He illuminates God’s Word to us, we live in the true hope of Jesus’ resurrection.