The Source of Power…Understanding Its Ability!

When I was in the 7^th grade I had to take a shop class, which included dealing with engines. I knew absolutely nothing about engines. I came into class and some guys asked me to hold this wire and I said ok. It was the spark plug wire of a Briggs & Stratton engine! I held the wire – they pulled the rope and my whole life lit up! The whole class laughed and I felt the fool. Then my friend Mike walked in and I invited him to do the same thing. He said, “You think I am stupid, I will hold the wire BUT I will pull the rope!” You know, once you start doing something with electricity you cannot stop! He held the wire, started to pull, and when it hit him he just continued till the rope was fully extended! Laugh as you will, because I still do, what was apparent was neither Mike nor I understood the ability of that power!

Paul exhorted the Ephesians not only to understand the power given to them but comprehend its ability!

Eph 1:15-23 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him,—since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened—so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and he gave him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Verse 18 is especially important! “So you may know”

The original Greek is οίδα oída. - Generally meaning to know intuitively or instinctively^[1]

This word is in a perfect participle - denotes the present condition resulting from a past act. That would be – Regeneration - That you may know what? – The hope & riches & Exceeding greatness His power toward you.

This is not just what you heard about, but know for yourself!

There was a man that rigged up a battery to a plant to operate an electric light bulb, when he tried it the light flickered but would not stay on. A friend checked it and told him the plant did not have enough power for the light bulb but could ring a bell. In other words, it did not have enough power to shed light only enough to make noise!

When God sent His Spirit to dwell in men – a new power entered the human race! They did not just make noise, they changed the direction of the world!

Acts 17:6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,

Marry Slessor was a missionary to Africa. When some of her friends saw the fierce chiefs that she had won to Christ, some said that it was amazing that such a small weak woman could cause such a change in such fierce men. One of the chiefs replied, "You have forgotten to take into account the woman's God!"

The So What: Are you connected to the Source? Do you experience victory over the sins we all struggle with? Do you consciously ask the Holy Spirit to control and lead you? Do you recognize when you grieve, quench or resist the Holy Spirit? How can Gal. 5:22-23 help you evaluate your relationship with the Spirit of God?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.