As we go through this pandemic, which is causing such fear worldwide I felt led to consider how we as believers possess a power that should not be brought under control by fear.
Once our home suddenly was overwhelmed by a powerful, awful smell. We found that it was coming from the kitchen. After searching high and low I starting moving everything. When I pulled the stove completely away from the wall, I got down on my hands and knees…still not finding…I leaned up on my knees and there staring me right in the face was a little mouse that had gotten stuck and died!
That little mouse had the power to take over the atmosphere of an entire house! Scriptures show many examples of one man or woman changing entire kingdoms. Over 2000 years ago one perfect man changed the future of eternity!
Often though, believers seem powerless! Why is that?
It should not be, Paul spoke of this power:
1 Corinthians 2:4–5 My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Our word power comes from δύναμις dúnamis which is where we get our word dynamite from!
I believe many times we miss what we should have because we have not invested the time needed to fully understand it.
[1] We need to understand that we have it
Eph 1:1-2 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
The word “saints” is ἅγιος hágios which means set apart one. We have failed in two ways understanding who we are. First, we have allowed religiosity to make this term mean some “special, spiritual” person that walks ankle-deep on the water! So only a few can be saints! How tragic, from the book of Acts on, all of the New Testament calls believers “saints.” The other failure is very simple, we just forget who we are!
I remember one time when I was trying to get a dog to eat its food, I was on my knees, food in a spoon and I was begging this dog to eat! Then I suddenly remembered…"wait a minute, who is the dog, and who is the master?”
I have two more points to look at later, but I want to leave you with one thought: A contributor to this problem is called “the second blessing”. Some groups teach that you do not receive all of the Holy Spirit at regeneration. Basically, that means you get saved but are put on hold! Waiting for some extra power that only some believers have. Scripture denounces that. When we come to Christ, we receive, are indwelt, sealed, adopted, and baptized by ALL of the Holy Spirit. It is never about us getting more of God, but of God getting more of us!
The So What: Do you understand from Scripture it is clear God has given you everything you need at the moment of salvation to be all that you can be for God? Do you daily ask the Holy Spirit to take all of you for His use? Have you understood that God has set you apart and desires to yield Him to allow you to live that way through faith?
