Focus: Our Spiritual Power

Text: 2Tim.1:7

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

If the church is powerless today, God is not to blame. If the believer in Christ lacks power to function supernaturally on earth today, Christ is certainly not to blame. From our text, Paul makes it clear that God has given us the spirit of power. The Lord Jesus Christ has, by the Spirit, equipped us with spiritual power to function in His place here on earth. 

Peter says, "According as his DIVINE POWER hath GIVEN unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2Pet.1:3). This power covers every aspect of our existence and mission. Paul tells where this power is lodged or located. He says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh IN US…" (Eph.3:20). 

The power is already at work in us. So the power is within us, and it is not dormant or idle.

The next thing for us to know is how immense is the power made available to the believer in Christ Jesus. Paul says, "And what is the EXCEEDING GREATNESS of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the WORKING of his MIGHTY POWER…" (Eph.1:19). The power surges and surpasses all our expectations. It is immense. It is exceeding all human limits. It is great, that is, it is mega-power. 

The power available to us is huge and large and effective.

Micah, an Old Testament prophet, says of himself, "But truly I AM FULL OF POWER by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin" (Mic.3:8). God delights in a power-filled church and Spirit-energized believer.

The next thing to consider is the reason or purpose for the power. The power is not for show-biz or for entertainment. 

The power is given for the accomplishment of God's purpose. 

God has given us:

*Power for godly living

*Power to bear witness and win souls

*Power to preach and teach

*Power to heal and work miracles

*Power to serve God's purpose

*Power to discharge divine responsibilities

And the list goes on.

Every aspect of the believer's worship, walk and work requires spiritual power.

Paul tells the believers in Thessaloniki, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost" (1Thes.1:5). To operate in the power of God we must want what God wants and be eager to see His power in operation through us. Paul longed for the resurrection power of Christ. He says, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…" (Phil.3:10). He exhorts the Ephesian believers, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Eph.6:10). 

We must give up substitutes and go for the real deal - the original. It is only with the original that we can put the counterfeit out of business. We need sound, not noise. We need spirituality, not emotionalism. We need charisma and character, not either of them or none of them. We pray for the fresh demonstration of God's power in our generation and beyond. We pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to flow through us and impact the world. Corrie ten Boom said, "It is not my ability, but my response to God's ability, that counts." Yes, God's power is what really counts as far as God's work on earth is concerned!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter