The Power of God

What truly is the power of God?  Is the power of God something you see like the winds blowing strongly through trees?  Or is the power of God something you feel like "goose bumps?"

I've been meditating a lot on the reality of Christ living in the heart of those who believe and have received Him.  The Scriptures tell us Christ IS the power, wisdom, Redemption, and Sanctification.  He is this.

What was Paul, the Apostle by the will of God, chosen by God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ - strongly preaching throughout his appointed ministry?

He preached that if one was going to "get anywhere" in their walk as a child of God, it was going to come through the ONE dwelling in them.  He emphasized that it was NOT of flesh and blood origin, but through faith in Christ in the heart.  Also, that we are PARTAKERS of Him - His divine Person through the Holy Spirit.  All of this is found in the Word of God.

But how?  Through faith.  "The just are to live by faith in Him."

The epistles were written to be like a mirror.  As we look into what James calls "The Perfect Law of Liberty," we would see whether or not we were growing in grace and coming into conformity to the image of the ONE who lives within.

And if we are/were not, then God gives MORE GRACE, ABUNDANT GRACE to grow more in His Son."But grow in grace and in the knowledge of His Son."

The power of God is in Christ through His Spirit.  The power of God is for apprehending the things of God in truth, in wisdom, in all understanding.

The power of God is for yielding to the One who does live in us.

The power of God is for knowing the mind of Christ, the Truth, the Way, and the Life - in all things, in all of life, in all of my heart, will, and mind.

What is not the power of God?

The power of God is not having dominion over people's minds, wills, hearts - the power of God is not being self-willed, witchcraft, sorcery, lording over people for selfish gain.  The power of God is not sects, divisions, gossip, persuading people. The power of God is not selfish ambition using, or acting like one has power to "fix" others, nor is it manipulation of any kind. 

The true power of God is meek, listening, yielded to God, open to His Spirit to teach all things, prove all things, and be submitted to Him as the Only One Who is Lord of all.  The true power of God is our ability to continue to POINT to Jesus Christ living and dwelling in others' hearts - that they can look to HIM to be whole, filled with truth, understanding spiritual realities - to come under His dominion in all things.  This is the power of God. 

We were never called to take the place of Jesus Christ - we are merely members of His body, instruments in His hands for the edification of His body - again, to point to the Head and Him alone.  If we really are governed by His Spirit, He is peace.

That's good news to me.  It enables us to escape from all the confusion in the world by coming to Him, the Living One.  For all who come to Him receive grace, mercy and peace.

"Dear Father, may we truly understand your power in us for the right purposes - enabling us to understand, apprehend, possess, continue, persevere, and most of all, be conformed to the image of Your dear Son dwelling in our hearts."

Sue Gaither