September 19, 2004

THE QUICKENER

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:13).

This designation of Christ as the "Quickener" is descriptive of His regenerative and life-giving power. The Greek word translated by the old English verb, to quicken, means "to bring to life," "to make alive." It is used in reference to the spiritual life in Christ that is imparted to believers at their conversion.

Jesus declared, "the Son quickeneth whom he will" (John 5:21). He has been vested with this authority by the Father. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is used as a symbol of the believers' resurrection from the death of sin to spiritual life. The divine power that brought Jesus out of the tomb is the very same power, working through the resurrected Lord, that brings life to those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Before conversion takes place, man is morally and spiritually dead. Only the quickening power of the Life-giver can give life.

Not only are we made alive in the Spirit through Christ's quickening power, but we are also preserved by the same power. Christ initiates this new life when we come to Him, and He sustains it as we abide in Him. Through this process we are made to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). Through Jesus Christ, "hitherto paralyzed moral agency is quickened and reinvigorated with spiritual energy. Through the imputed righteousness of Christ, the Christian is placed on vantage ground, and becomes a channel through which the Holy Spirit can work."--The Youth's Instructor, January 1, 1894.

My Prayer Today: Lord, when I was dead in trespasses and sin, You quickened me. Thank You, Lord, for this new life. Amen.