A. J. Gordon, one of the founders of Gordon Conwell Divinity School, tells of being out walking and looking across a field at a house, and there beside the house was what looked like a man pumping furiously at one of those hand pumps. As Gordon watched, the man continued to pump at a tremendous rate; he seemed absolutely tireless, pumping on and on, up and down without ever slowing in the slightest, much less stopping. Truly it was a remarkable sight, so Gordon started to walk toward it. As he got closer, he could see it was not a man at all, but a wooden figure painted to look like a man. The arm that was pumping so rapidly was hinged at the elbow and the hand was wired to the pump handle. The water was pouring forth, but not because the figure was pumping it. You see, it was an artesian well, and the water was pumping the man! The water moved the arm, not the other way around.
Sometimes when we look at our lives and see the change that has come since we came to Jesus we give ourselves credit for what has been happening. But that is not where credit is due. It is not our power, but God’s power through His Spirit that is working within us. All we have to do is keep our hand on the handle, the power comes from Him, not us.
We know the Holy Spirit is a Person, not just an impersonal power source. But that doesn’t mean He doesn’t have power and isn’t powerful. He is our source of power (Romans 15:13), but He is also personal. Often this power is misunderstood as being something that can remove our problems and give us a better life (according to our definition of ‘better’). Some want to harness this power to give us “our best life now” but the Spirit can’t be controlled or manipulated for our selfish benefit.
Mary was impregnated by God’s power through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:2). She had no power to do it herself. We have no power in ourselves. We “receive” power because on our own we are powerless to live the life God wants us to live (Acts 1:8). Everything we are or do is because of God’s Spirit working in us and through us. On our own, we are powerless.
According to Philippians 2:7, Christ “emptied” (Greek Kenosis) Himself in the Incarnation, as described “by taking the form of a servant”. It signifies his voluntary renunciation of divine privileges and glory to live fully human, yet without ceasing to be God, He servees as a model for believers to empty themselves of pride and self-will to follow God’s will and live in the power of the Spirit, as Jesus did. The greatest example of the power of the Holy Spirit is raising Jesus from the dead, which is proof God will “give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you” (Romans 8:10-11, 23)
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was the power behind Samson’s strength (Judges 14:6 15:14) and Saul’s ability to lead (1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 11:6). He enabled David to kill a bear, a lion and Goliath (1 Samuel 16:13). He was the force behind Isaac’s birth to elderly parents (Galatians 4:29). The Messiah is promised His power as well (Isaiah 11:2).
In the New Testament there are two words for power with vastly different meanings. One is the Greek word dunamis, from which we get our word ‘dynamite.’ It refers to strength, power and ability and is used of the power to perform miracles and to resist armies and enemies. The other word translated ‘power’ is exousia which refers to the right to act, authority or right to do as one chooses.
In Jesus we have both power ( dunamis dunamis – Luke 9:1; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 4:33; 6:8 Ephesians 1:18-23; Hebrews 2:14-15) and authority (exousia exousia – Luke 10:1,17-20; Matthew 10:1,8; Mark 3:15; 6:7; I John 4:4). Power comes from the Holy Spirit within (Luke 1:35; 4:14; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13, 19; Ephesians 3:16), authority comes from our relationship as a child of Jesus (John 1:12). A policeman has both authority (badge) and power (gun or club). Both come from a source outside himself, as do ours (Colossians 12:9-10). We need both of these in our battle against Satan, demons and sin.
Satan also has power (Luke 10:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Peter 3:22) and authority (Luke 4:6; Acts 26:10; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12). Demons have these, also (Revelation 9:3,10,19; Colossians 1:16; 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22). God’s power and authority is superior to that which Satan and demons have. Men without Jesus do not have power or authority anywhere near to Satan and his demons, though.
Men often judge spiritual power by outward display and noisy demonstrations, by signs and wonders, great emotional displays, loud preaching or testifying or by public speaking in tongues or prophesying. But God’s greatest works are done quietly and without great public display. The silent way is God’s way! It is predominant in all of the great operations of nature and grace. Gravitation works silently; and the greatest trees grow noiselessly. Evaporation, which takes up three billion tons of water every minute – enough to supply all the rivers of the world – works quietly. God’s spiritual power, too, is best displayed not in the fire and in the earthquake, but in the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13). To His humble, yet willing servants here below, God “increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29) and despite our weakness, unleashes through us the silent force of His omnipotence! He silently but surely changes us from within – not in great power encounters or displays, but through the Spirit’s daily working in us to make us more like Jesus. That’s where the real power is!
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Where have you seen the power of the Holy Spirit at work within you to help you grow spiritually?
Where have you seen the power of the Holy Spirit at work at work through you to serve Him and minister for Him?
Ask God to help you be more aware today of His Presence working in and through you.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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