Essays in Ephesians #7
. . . and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1: 19 – 21 ESV
What is the greatness of His power? And what is the greatness of His power toward us who believe?
I wish I knew; it eludes me. It’s the power of a love so vast and incomprehensible I can’t imagine it.
It’s the power that created this universe and all that’s in it. It’s a power that is greater than any other authority, power, dominion, office or person in this age or in the age to come.
It’s the same power that worked in Christ to raise Him from the dead and seat Him at God’s right hand in the Heavenly places. It’s the power that lives in believers who are born again of God’s Spirit.
A quick look at Christian history tells us that it’s a power that feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, finds homes for orphans, opens blind eyes and deaf ears, and raises the dead. It transforms civilizations and lives. It’s a power whose message turns cannibals toward tender kindness. It sends Mercy Ships to provide medicine and vaccines to the poor. It builds hospitals, orphanages, schools and television stations like EWTN. Whatever this power is, it is filled with compassion and merciful loving kindness.
This power has creative energy to call worlds into being. It holds the universe together. It is stronger than wind and waves, for when Jesus said, “Be still.” the storm obeyed.
A seed of this power lives all who are born again by the Spirit of God. As it is nurtured, watered and fed, it transforms the lives of believers from selfishness to selflessness, from independence to glad and willing submission to God. The seed is there. It gives quickening life to all who are born again by the Spirit of God.
Lots of Christians think we need more power. A popular Christian song about ten years ago repeated the words “More love, More power.” Could it be that we’ve already got the seed for the full download and may have neglected the means to access it. Almost every saint I’ve read about suffered greatly. And those who didn’t suffer were compelled by love to self-denials most of us feel incapable of. Are we determined to pray all day and stay awake all night for three years like Mother Elizabeth Dabney? Are we willing to go barefoot in the snow or kiss lepers like St. Francis? Or are we called to it? Perhaps, like the Magdalene we are called to more intimate touches of God’s power, called to let Jesus heal and deliver us of demons, called to love Jesus in our ordinary lives and to do exactly what He says when He tell us to tell others that “He is Risen.”
God’s power and purpose flow with unique individuality through every believer. The life purpose for wounded men and women who fall into the arms of Jesus after traumatic abuse may simply be to heal and learn to love. Bach was called to write inspired music. An inner light of God called Mary Dyer to protest Puritan intolerance by hanging on a gallows. God called Basilea Schlink to a hidden contemplative life of prayer. Susannah Wesley was called to raise her family and teach her children and neighbors. Was the greatness of God’s power greater in her sons, John and Charles Wesley than in her? We don’t know.
We do know that for many of us God has different callings through the different seasons of life. Following the Holy Spirit’s leading, I’ve sensed His call to teach school, to serve in a nursing home, to raise my children, serve tables as a waitress, shelve books as a Bible College Librarian, and mentor authors and edit and publish books. Currently, I feel called to witness to Jesus on givenwordnow.com.
Whatever God’s current call upon our lives, we can trust our future to Him. Loving obedience is what matters— for students, for children and parents, for businessmen and women as well as for artists, scientists, preachers and teachers. Your obedience and mine is as precious to God and as pure in His eyes as the obedience of a saint like Theresa of Avila or an evangelist like Reinhardt Bonnke or Billy Graham.
However God is calling you and me, we need His power to be pure, kind, loving, honest, forgiving, Holy Spirit filled believers.
Whatever God is calling us to do, His power is sufficient to prepare us for the task and to do it in and through us.
And whatever the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe might be, it’s available to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit as we yield our wills to His infinite wisdom and love.
Not by might nor by human power but my Spirit says the Lord.
Zechariah 4:6
