Power!

“So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:5 ESV)

Worldly power

What is power, and why do so many people pursue it? In the dictionary, it’s defined as “the ability or right to control people or things through force or influence.” It’s to have control, dominion, sway, authority, reign, mastery, sovereignty, influence, grip, command, dominance, an arm, jurisdiction, clutch, privilege, leverage, clout, hold, or management over others. Power is intoxicating and dangerous, and someone said rightly, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely!” And there are countless examples demonstrating this statement is true.

But there is a different kind of power that comes from God. It’s not self-serving but is to equip the followers of God to be His ambassadors here on earth.  

God’s kind of Power

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 ESV)

“For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.” (2 Cor. 13:4 ESV)

 You will receive power

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV) 

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV)

The purpose of God’s power for you

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (2 Pet. 1:3 ESV)

“Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;” (Col. 1:11 ESV)

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” (Luke 10:19 ESV)

Therefore

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 49:29-31 ESV)

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV)

And remember

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 ESV)

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Eph. 3.20 ESV)