Power is the ability to do something or to produce a desired effect. It can be physical, mental, or spiritual. In the context of the Christian life, spiritual power is the ability to live and witness for Christ in a way that is effective and transformative.
My experience of the Christian life has been a journey of both weakness and strength. At times, I have felt weak and inadequate to live the life that God calls me to. But at other times, I have experienced His power working through me in amazing ways.
Empowerment to live spiritually is the process of being filled with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work through us. It is about being dependent on God and trusting Him to do what we cannot do on our own.
Paul’s understanding of spiritual power
For Paul, spiritual power was the dynamic of God’s power working through the gospel and through the believer. He believed that the gospel was not just a message of salvation, but also a message of power. When we receive the gospel, we receive the power of the Holy Spirit to live a new life and to be witnesses for Christ.
In Ephesians 3:14-17, Paul prays that the believers in Ephesus would be strengthened with power through the Spirit in their inner being. He wants them to be filled with the Spirit so that they can comprehend the love of Christ. He also wants them to be able to walk in a manner worthy of their calling and to bear fruit for the glory of God.
What could hinder God’s power being actualized in my life?
There are a number of things that could hinder God’s power being actualized in my life. These include:
– Sin: When I sin, I grieve the Holy Spirit and quench His power in my life.
– Fear: When I am afraid, I doubt God’s power and ability to work through me.
– Self-reliance: When I try to do things in my own strength, I am limited and I cannot experience the full power of God.
How does “weakness, His power is perfected” work?
The Bible teaches that when we are weak, God is strong. This is because God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. When we admit our weakness and dependence on Him, He is able to work through us in ways that we could never do on our own.
Dynamic of spiritual power
Ask yourself this question: Do I see this reality in my own life?
We should all be able to see this reality in our own lives. When I am filled with the Holy Spirit and dependent on Him, I experience His power working through me in amazing ways. I am able to overcome temptation, to love others unconditionally, and to share the gospel with confidence. The dynamic of spiritual power is that it is both a gift from God and a response from us. God gives us the Holy Spirit and His power, but we also need to cooperate with Him by being obedient to His Word and by submitting to His will.
Spiritual power is essential for living a successful Christian life. It is the power to overcome temptation, to love others unconditionally, and to share the gospel with confidence. We can experience God’s power through the Holy Spirit when we are filled with Him and when we depend on Him completely.
Prayer
Lord, I pray that You would fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to live a life that is worthy of Your calling. I pray that I would be able to overcome temptation, to love others unconditionally, and to share the gospel with confidence. Help me to be dependent on You and to submit to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Jeff Hagen
President & Founder
Hill Cities, Inc.
The message is touching.