“He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom. 8:11).
Quicken is a beautiful word that is full of life. It is not used in our modern vernacular as it was a hundred years ago, but it is a word that still retains dignity, beauty, and potential.
The Bible speaks of the quick and the dead (1 Peter 4:5). (One person thought this was a description of Southern California pedestrians; out there when crossing busy streets and thoroughfares on foot – a person is either “quick” or he’s “dead.”) When used in this Biblical context, this word has nothing to do with speed. Rather it refers to life and the living.
If the dentist, when drilling your tooth, slips and hits a tender spot says “I’m sorry.” He apologizes as he peels you off the ceiling. “I guess I touched the ‘quick’.” He is referring to the live flesh which has not been deadened by numbing the tooth. Aunt Hulda is crying because Cousin Mathilda criticized her and hurt her “to the quick.” She means, of course, that Cousin Mathilda said something that hurt her feelings.
To quicken means “to have or restore life.” According to the Apostle Paul, the same Spirit which raised Christ from the dead dwells in us. This Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies. Note that Paul does not say that the Spirit of God will give life to our immortal bodies in eternity, but will give life to our mortal bodies in this world.
Are you living in the fullness of this promise? If not, you can start today!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.