Last time I posed the question of how do we really know if we’re living a life of renewal and resurrection power? In this post, I’ve outlined just a few indicators of a faith-filled life. After all, Jesus said that we would know people by their fruit.

1-Are you Experiencing Victory Over Sin?

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”

Romans 6;6

The resurrection power frees Christians from the bondage of sin, granting them the strength to live victoriously.

Too many use grace as an excuse to stay in sin, to refuse to change. But as the saying goes, Jesus loves us but he loves us too much to leave us that way. To walk in sin is to surrender the power within us. It’s counterintuitive but we must surrender to win. Surrender pride and pursue purity.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Romans 8:11

The resurrection power brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live godly lives.

2-Do You Experience Spiritual Empowerment?

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:19-20

The same power that raised Jesus enables believers to live with authority, confidence, and purpose.

Just like the dry bones that came to life, the power that brought the window’s son back to life in the days of Elijah, the man that was laid on the bones of Elisha, or the power that raised Lazarus and Jairus’s daughter, and the power that enabled Jesus to conquer death. The Bible is full of the life-giving power and it’s a power for us.

John 7:38: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'”

The manner in which we live, the words we say, the things we do, the relationships we build, should all be life-giving. Encouraging others, strengthening others, guiding others in life-giving truth.

3-Are You Experiencing Power Through the Hard Things in Life?

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

The resurrection power empowers Christians to face challenges with faith and strength.

Your troubles have come in order to prove that your faith is real. Your faith is worth more than gold. That’s because gold can pass away even when fire has made it pure. Your faith is meant to bring praise, honor and glory to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ returns.”

1 Peter 1:7 NIRV

It’s hard to say that untested faith is genuine. Look at Job, whose faith was deepened as he underwent trials. Look at the apostles, whose faith enabled them to face incredible persecution.

4-Do You Have Boldness in Witnessing?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

The resurrection power gives Christians the boldness to share the gospel and fulfill their mission.

And look at what happened to the apostles throughout the story of Acts. They were met with resistance and persecution. And when they were reprimanded and beaten and jailed, they didn’t relent.

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Acts 4:29-30 ESV

Think about the Apostles that we can read about in Acts 5:12-16. They were praying for people, laying hands on people, healing people, and not in secret, on Solomon’s porch, in front of the temple.

Our witnessing shouldn’t just be when it’s convenient or safe. It’s proclaiming Jesus even when you’re told not to and where you’re told not to. It’s being able to say, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”

“And he departed from our sight and we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here.“

-St. Augustine

The power of Jesus rests in us because His Spirit is in us. We find Him in the world around us, and we find Him living within us.

“The New Testament writers speak as if Christ’s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He is the ‘first fruits,’ the pioneer of life,’ He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because He has done so.”

C.S. Lewis

Everything is different and so be it with us. Are you different because you know Jesus? Are you living a resurrected life? Peace and power in Christ brothers and sisters.