“…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” Philippians 3:10
Dear Ones:
When we see, or hear, the noise and sheer demonstration of power as revealed in the mass and volume of water flowing over and down Niagra Falls, we stand amazed, especially as we compare that power with our own. Equally amazing is the quiet power of nature, the spring, when it seems all of creation comes alive, growing upward and outward, filling our vision with a variety and beauty of strength that cannot be measured. Power manifests itself in a variety of ways, from the quiet growth of the roots of a mighty tree, to the raging storm, with lightning and a massive downpour of rain. And so it is in the life of a Christian.
When Jesus stood on the last day of the great feast in Jerusalem, and cried out, “If any man is thirsty, let him come unto me,” there was power…overt and verbal, with spiritual authority. When the adulterous woman was brought to Jesus, condemned by the Pharisees, seeking to deceive Jesus into conforming to their selfish, and sinful, judgement of the woman, Jesus would stoop down, and quietly write on the ground, then rise, and speak to them a word: “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” Herein is power, a quiet power of conviction and truth, spoken in love, but with such an effect, that all of the accusers of the woman left, leaving the woman with Jesus. Again, the Lord Jesus would say quietly, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” He then would say, “…Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.” (John 8:7,10,11) Is this not an illustration of the power of God, that quiet strength and enabling to see clearly, to do justly, and to reach out to save that which was lost?
The power of the resurrection is the life of Christ, by the Spirit. It is a life that is both revealed with great force, and great quietness. What characterizes it the most is the revelation of the holy, unique nature of God, of Christ, a life that reveals a victory over sin, self, the world, and the devil. It is a life of victory, in word and deed, whether preaching to the multitudes, or just giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name. It takes the power of God by the Spirit to LIVE a godly life, and to accomplish the will of God for His glory.
We come now to the very important question: “What are the Paths to Power,” the way of God to KNOW this power of the resurrection? Christ once told His disciples, “I am the way…” In declaring such, He reveals to us that HE alone is that power, by the Spirit. Power is a Person. This does not mean that we do not describe the demonstration and effects of this power in different ways, but it does mean that the very source of power is Christ Himself. Thus, it is only out of a fellowship with Him by the Spirit, walking with Him, abiding in Him, that His power is revealed in and through us.
Dear Father, Thy Son has accomplished a perfect work on Calvary, so that we might KNOW this power of the resurrection. In that work You have declared that we have been “…crucified with Christ,” and that the principle by which we are now called to live by is FAITH, in Thy faithfulness, according to Your word. Give us grace to truly look only unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Faith, so that His power can be received, and revealed in us. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad