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Power to Us

Mark Dunagan
07/07/19 - Sunday Evening

Power to Us

If you have lived the Christian life for any amount of time you probably are aware that Christians are definitely in the minority (Matthew 7:13-14), that the rest of the world is thinking, believing and heading in another direction (John 5:19), and it should be really no surprise when we read passages that mention that we are up against powerful foes:

• Paul was convinced that powers could not separate him from the love of God (Romans 8:38).
• Having spent some time in sin, we are all aware of not only the power of temptation, but often an entire culture of darkness surrounds any given sin. For example, there is a culture, vibe and language that one is immersed in when enslaved to alcohol.  In fact, even the world will use the term the “drug culture”.  The devil has so designed each temptation that there are many little barbs or hooks that are designed to keep drawing us back into it.  Like the little seeds that get stuck to your socks when you walk through a field of wild flowers.
• The culture that surrounds any particular sinful activity often has its own terminology, events, clothing style, and excuses for remaining in it and not serving God.

“In which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

• “The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
• So we are up against real powers who desire to bring us down (Ephesians 6:12).

Before I leave this point, not only are most sins far more than just isolated acts, rather they are lifestyles, which come with their own terminology, inverted values, excuses, and they all have their secrets.  Such secrets include:

• The actual cost.  Lost opportunities, a squandered youth, broken relationships, estrangement, continual drama, health issues, etc…
• No one really is honest about the fact that when engaging in a sin, you are using your mind, emotions, heart, and body in a manner in which it was not designed to be used.  So, there will be physical, emotional and mental problems if you keep on doing that.  “Receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (Romans 1:27).
• The sin is not providing as advertized.  It is not working for them.  Unlike the gospel, “new converts” to each sin are not told about the cost upfront.  Rather, misery tends to love company (Romans 1:32). 

We Have Access to Power

God wants us to take the power of temptation and darkness seriously, thus we are exhorted to take up the entire armor that God has provided (Ephesians 6:11-18).  At the same time we are reminded that as believers we have access to tremendous resources.

• “And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19).
• “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His power, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17).
• “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask for think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
• “So that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).
• “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God: strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might” (Colossians 1:10-11).
• “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:29).
• “And fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
• “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Connection with Faith

What struck me in the above passages was the connection between the power that God provides and my own personal trust in Him.  That without my trust in Him, this will simply not work.  For example:

• “Who are protected by the power of God through faith” (1 Peter 1:5).
• “But the word (of God) they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard” (Hebrews 4:2).
• “For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
• “Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).  That is, the gospel is only powerful for those who embrace it.  People who dabble in it, play at being a Christian, or just go through the outward motions to appear to be religious are not transformed by this message.  And should not expect any transformation.

1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the word of the cross (the gospel) is (considered) foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us (Christians) who are being saved it is the power of God”.

The gospel, Christianity, or the teachings of Christ are considered foolish by unbelievers.  The call to self-denial, humility, honesty, mourning over your own sins, God ahead of family members, putting others first, passing on temptation, avoiding immediate gratification does not make any sense to people who are living only for the moment.  As a result, they continue to perish.  Yet saved people see something completely different.  In the same message that the world considers foolish, the saved see the wisdom of what God has revealed. 

A Powerful Message

When the New Testament speaks of the power of God, it often connects that power to the gospel, as in Romans 1:16. 

• It is a message that does not need big words or an elegant presentation        (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
• It is a message that does not need impressive orators or amazing salesmen  (2 Corinthians 4:7).
• It is a message with many weapons (2 Corinthians 6:7).
• A message that can dismantle the lies of the evil one (2 Corinthians 10:4).
• A message that can penetrate the heart to the level of motive and the most secretly held thoughts (Hebrews 4:12-13).  It is not complicated.
• His power is built into this message (2 Timothy 1:8).   It is the message from the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; 16:8-11; Romans 15:13). 

Objections

Yet someone might say, “The gospel does not appear to be that powerful because just look at all the people who are not changed by it”. 

• Yet do not confuse “changed” with “convicted”.  You can be convicted by the message and yet remain unchanged (Acts 24:24-25; Acts 7:51-53; John 12:42-43).
• People do not walk away “unchanged” after they hear the gospel.  Actually, no one walks away the same.  You either convert or you must harden your heart, become even more stubborn and less honest than before.  But you are never the same person as you were before (John 9:39-41; 12:42-43).

If the Bible contains such a weak and easily disproven message, then people would or should want to debate Christians and study the Bible with them.  The fact that most people opt out of any discussion of the Bible in effect proves that there are not credible and strong arguments against it.  The human practice to walk a wide circle around the word of God or to level an accusation against it and then run is an admission of its power (John 3:19-21).  Mark Dunagan/mdunagan@frontier.com