II THE ONGOING SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN.
The God who raised Christ works in the people of Christ. Cp Eph 1:18-19, 2:5-6. Here is the secondary aspect of His purpose in raising Christ. Such is the organic connection and identity between Christ and His people that to work in One is to work in the other.
A restoration to obedience. The idea in ‘make you perfect’ is that of restoration and repair. The application of the power of the resurrection to the life of the redeemed produces this great change! The ability to serve God acceptably had been lost by the fall. There is a conformity to the will of God that involves every good work. This restoration is not complete in our experience until the resurrection/glorification. However, it shows itself in a desire to do every good work and is attended by more or less success. Cp Phil 3:8-14—it is resurrection perfection that he strives for!
Production of that which pleases Him. That which satisfies the inspecting eye of God can only be produced in the life of the Christian by the work of Divine power. Cp Phil 2:12-13. By definition, that which pleases Him is an exhibition of the life of Christ in us.
He works through Christ. He is speaking of Christ raised and alive. The life of Christ flows into the lives of His people. Cp John 15:4-5. This is the work of the Spirit.
Eternal glory on this account. The purpose of the Father magnifies the Son. By making Him the means and source of resurrection power in the lives of the sheep, honour and glory is brought to the Saviour. All the honour for what the sheep become is traced back to the Shepherd.
A matter for prayer. This is clearly a prayer. Cp Eph 1:18-19. This is the author’s burden for these believers. He prays for them that they might learn to pray this for themselves. The means of grace have been given so that we may imbibe the life of Christ into our experience. As we pray, give ourselves to His word and to all that abiding in Christ entails, by His Spirit we will experience the life of Christ.