THE GREATNESS OF HIS POWER

There is such thing as the greatest of power and the origin is divine. When we talk of deep, spiritual strength and energy, through the Holy Spirit, we are talking about the greatness of God's power. This power is sourced from the riches of His glory and He hid it in the knowledge of Christ. When we acquire it by His knowledge, we experience it through the Holy Spirit, and we translate it into living for Christ and demonstrating His marvellous works on earth.

Reference: Philippians 3:10 New Living Translation (NLT) 'I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead...'

The power that raised Christ from the dead is the greatest power ever at work. This power conquered death by raising Christ and provided the way to know the Lord - salvation. What is this power? It is the greatest power in existence. Ephesians 1:19-20 (NIV) explains the power: 'and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength. he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms'. Its mind-boggling that this power has an incredible, immeasurable and surpassing greatness.

Ephesians 3:16 (NIV) says, 'I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.' This means that first, knowing Jesus clearly involves the power of His resurrection. And second, being strengthened with this power is having the Holy Spirit resident in your inner man. The inner man is the seat of influence. Whoever has the control of your inner man influences your outward manifestation. As Christians, we are strengthened with great power by the Spirit. In other words, our strength comes from the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, who makes this power evident and perfect in any weakness, and causes us to grow from grace to grace.

The Bible says in Job 26:12-14 (NIV), 'By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster. His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent. These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?' In these verses, you can sense God's power levels and what those levels can accomplish? However this will be another day's topic.

God's enemies always submit by the greatness of His power. Isaiah 66:3 (NIV) reads, 'Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You"'. God demonstrates His power while dealing with His enemies. He did that to Pharaoh and many more. In salvation, it is the same greatness of power that the gospel demonstrates. No wonder the Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB): "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." The gospel message is all about the Kingdom of God and it's not demonstrated in ordinary words but in power which leads to salvation. The resurrection of Christ, and our salvation, was brought about by nothing less than this divine and mighty power.

The Bible says, 'We are not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). This mighty, divine power belongs to God and by His grace, He bequeathed it to us through Christ. When we read that Christ was raised from the grave, it wasn't by any other power, it was by the power of God, according to our referenced Scripture. When we see the ungodly surrender their lives to Christ, it is not by their own power or endeavour. We can preach the Word and spread the good news but the quickening power unto salvation proceeds from the Holy Spirit. This power is eternal, glorious and unstoppable.

When the power was about to raise Jesus, all the soldiers and the high priests could not safeguard His body in the tomb or stop the power, and death itself could not hold Jesus in its grip (Romans 6:9). This same power raised us to the newness of life, and its displayed in us as Christians, from time to time, by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Reading - Exodus 15:6; Psalm 147:5; Luke 5:15; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Ephesians 3:20; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 2:12.

Exuberant Declaration: Precious Father in heaven, how great is your power! I thank you for the indwelling presence of your Spirit that infuses divine energy in my inner being. No sin, no sickness, no corruption, and no devils can stand or resist the greatness of your power at work in my life. According to the effectual working of this power in me, my faith is active and daring and I'm empowered to fulfil my glorious destiny and do your will at all times, in Jesus' Name, Amen!