Young People's Group

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

by Mitchell Tan
April 14, 2022

STRUGGLING WITH A THEORETICAL FAITH

One problem that people often struggle with is not being able to go beyond a theoretical faith. They may have some knowledge of God and even have some faith in Him. However, they cannot apply their faith to the “here and now” with reference to the person of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus was traveling to Bethany to be with Mary and Martha after Lazarus had died. He had purposefully stayed away until he had passed on so that His disciples may see the glory of God through Him (John 11:4). When Martha heard that the Lord Jesus was coming, she went to Him and said that if He had been with them earlier, Lazarus would not have died (John 11:21). She was struggling with some misgivings and doubt. And yet her faith in the Lord was still intact.

She knew that whatever the Lord Jesus would ask of God, it could still be done. When the Lord told her that her brother would rise again, she said that he would do so at the Resurrection Day. She had faith in the Lord God and in the resurrection after death. Her understanding of God was right. However, she could not apply it with reference to what the Lord Jesus was saying. Her answer was academic and theoretical. She was struggling with not being able to go beyond a theoretical faith. What she needed was to have a real and present faith in the Lord Jesus.

BELIEVING IN THE LORD JESUS AS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26

1. HAVING FULL FAITH IN THE POWER OF THE LORD JESUS

The focus should be on the Lord Jesus as one who has absolute power to raise the dead. He has the power to give life to those who would fully believe in Him. Death to the Lord Jesus was considered as only sleep. He has that divine power to raise Lazarus from the dead. This would supremely show forth how glorious He is. The challenge is not to limit His power but to have full faith in Him.

2. HAVING A REAL AND PRESENT FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS

Martha also needed at that moment to apply her faith in the person of the Lord Jesus. She was meant to go deeper and be more practical in her faith. It was not a matter of exercising faith in the distant future. The focus is on the “here and now”. Faith should always be at the forefront. The challenge was to have a real and present faith in Lord Jesus.

3. HAVING A FULL ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN THE LORD JESUS

When we have faith in the Lord Jesus as the resurrection and the life, there will also come a full assurance of eternal life after death. Physical death may come. However, our souls will live on with the Lord in heaven. There will not be any spiritual death. We have been passed from death to life when we believe in the Lord (John 5:24). There would be eternal life for our souls.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. FOR SEEKERS

For those who are seekers, let’s seek to go beyond just theory. The Lord Jesus indeed has great power within Him. He has the power to raise the dead. He has also the power to raise us spiritually from the dead and to give us eternal life. Let’s not wait anymore. This Easter, let’s seek to believe in Him.

2. FOR BELIEVERS

In life there will be struggles. Our challenge is to learn to go beyond a theoretical faith to one that is strong and relevant. The challenge is for us to believe in the Lord Jesus fully and deeply. We can have a faith that is down to earth and practical. This Easter, let’s take time to consider the Lord Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Let’s strongly apply our faith in Him now and always.

Back to Article Listing