God never intended for you to live the Christian life outside of His power. In fact, it is impossible to live the Christian life without God’s power. For the believer, it is not a matter of being without God’s power. It is a matter of not appropriating the power God gives you when you are adopted into His family. Notice the progression of power in these three passages of Scripture.
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21 (NIV)
Activation of God’s power comes by trusting that God has the power to do what He has promised. Here is an example of a promise that every believer can claim.
“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.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)
You do not ask God to give you something you already have in Christ. God promises that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you simultaneously at conversion and that you will be His witness locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” Eph 3:16 (NIV)
At salvation, you received the Person of the Holy Spirit. He moved in as a permanent resident into His temple, your body.
God gives you an inner strength so that you can fulfill the Great Commission in your generation. His strength is made perfect in your weakness!
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care