Resurrection power is something every Christian longs to experience. We want to see miracles, transformations, and healings in body and soul. Why don’t we see more of God’s power at work in and through us? Perhaps it’s because we don’t follow the recipe for God’s holy sandwich.
Let’s look at what Paul wrote in Phlippians.
And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did].
Philippians 3:10 (AMP)*
Three parts to a sandwich
Just like us, Paul wanted to experience resurrection power; but if you look carefully, you’ll see that there are three components listed in the above passage.
- That I may know Him.
- That I may experience the power of His resurrection.
- That I may be conformed inwardly to His likeness.
I think of this as a holy sandwich. The meaty (yummy) part of a sandwich lies between two pieces of bread which hold everything together. Knowing Him is like the top slice of bread, and being continually conformed to His likeness is like the bottom slice of bread.
The Amplified version elaborates on what it means to know Christ. This isn’t a casual acquaintance. It’s a lifelong process of delving more deeply into His glorious nature. It means coming to understand the depth of who He is, and the spectacular nature of what He’s done for us. In short, it means deep and heartfelt intimacy with the Savior.
The bottom slice of bread is equally important. As we share in the fellowship of His sufferings, our trials and tears take us nearer to His likeness. As He died on the cross, we die to self, until our carnal thoughts, desires, and actions give way to the will of God.
When is a sandwich not a sandwich?
To live and move in resurrection power is something God wants for us individually and for the church collectively. But we must be prepared to handle His miraculous power. Unless we’re enveloped by intimacy with Him, and unless we’re dead to pride and selfish ambition, we’re like a sandwich with no bread — which isn’t a sandwich at all.
I’ll leave you with a quote by Smith Wigglesworth, who walked in resurrection power perhaps more than any other saint in the last century.
God wants to purify our minds until we can bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. God dwells in you, but you cannot have this divine power until you live and walk in the Holy Ghost, until the power of the new life is greater than the old life.
Smith Wigglesworth
*Amplified Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation
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