Big Power

We like power. Nothing inflates our ego and makes us feel good like a shot of power in the arm. Power makes us feel important, confident, and secure. We have no problem imagining what we would do if given unlimited power. Whether getting rid of rules, traveling the world, solving poverty, or curing cancer, it´s easy to come up with a long list.

But what should the Christian do with power?

This is not merely a hypothetical question because the truth is that the Christian has access to the most potent power in the universe. That might surprise you, but it is essentially what the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:19-20 where he describes the contents of his prayers for the church in Ephesus. Paul prays that the believers would know the “incomparably great power for us who believe.” How great is this power? It is the same power as “the mighty strength God exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.” In other words, it is power that can make dead things alive. 

Paul is talking about a power that surpasses all other powers. History and science have proven that there is no other power, be it political, military, or otherwise, that can reverse the laws of nature and resurrect people from the dead. Only the divine power of God can do that. Indeed, it is incomparably great power.

Even more amazing is that this power is available to those who believe in Jesus Christ, and not just as an occasional injection of power or some spiritual high. This divine power is at work in us constantly through the Holy Spirit (Eph.3:16) 

However, before we get too excited at the prospect of possessing the greatest power known to humankind, let´s remember for what purpose God makes this power available to us. 

“To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19)

We are given resurrection-power so that we might do the impossible – comprehend the incomprehensibly great love of God. We are given big power to understand God´s big love, and then having begun to understand His love, we are empowered to mature to the fullness of who God calls us to be. Said another way, God gives us his power so that we might love and live like Jesus Christ, an otherwise impossible task for mere sinners. 

We are given power to love our enemies; to be completely humble and gentle; to build up the church; to walk in step with the Spirit; to lay our life down for our spouse; to resist the devil; and so much more.

So what are you going to do with the incomparably great power God has given you?