“‘You are My witnesses,’ says the Lord, ‘and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He.'” Isaiah 43:10
Dear Ones:
When the Lord confronted Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again, He made it very clear that the power to BE born again had to come from outside of Nicodemus. There was nothing in and of himself, no design, means, or resource, capable of performing a miraculous spiritual birth. The clarification of the source of this source, or power, to know this radical, humanly impossible act and continuing experience, would be found only in the Spirit. The imperative wall of impossibility was put squarely in front of Nicodemus. His recognition of it was essential for him to grasp the Lord’s words concerning the remedy: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.” (Jn. 3:6) The Christian life, to which every believer is called, and for which Christ died for all men, is a miraculous event and experience. This eternal work is ONLY possible by the intervention of the Almighty God by His Spirit, resulting in the experience and knowledge of eternal life. What then is the key element, or working, by the Spirit, which brings about the impossible, not only by an impossible beginning, but by a daily working, and appropriation by the believer?
Basic theology tells us that man was not only born in sin, but born spiritually dead…without any capacity whatsoever to rise from the dust and live. We see this picture in Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones. (Ez. 37) There is NO life in them until, by God’s commandment to Ezekiel, he is ordered to speak to the bones, and to the wind. The result is that the bones come together, flesh comes on the bones, and breath is breathed into the lifeless bodies. They come to life, and stand up. In the case of Nicodemus, it is only by the same Spirit that one is born again. The central, and most basic element, in the working of the Spirit is that which we see in the resurrection of Christ…His power. The apostle John writes: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He POWER to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (1:12) The same power is seen in the writings of Isaiah, and referred to by the Lord Jesus. “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon they seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring.” (44:3) The outpouring of the Spirit with respect to Pentecost, accompanied by the promise of power, is referred to Joel’s writings. The Lord Jesus made it very clear, with respect to this “promise of the Father,” that with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, would come POWER to be His witnesses. What does this mean?
The same power that is given to bring to life that which was spiritually dead, is given by the Spirit so that the believer can BE a witness to God. Again, the Lord is very clear with regard to the intent of the giving of this power: “…that you might KNOW and believe Me, and understand that I am He.” (43:10) If there is to be the preaching of the life-changing gospel of Christ, there must be a grasp, and experience of His power. Power is given that one might know God, but also, “declare” Him by one’s living and words. On the day of Pentecost, there was the declaration by the disciples of the “wonderful works of God.” There was the testimony of the power of Christ to save, and to transform. Many came through to a saving knowledge of Christ…by the power of God.
The call of Christ to follow Him, is a call to experience His power. Paul would write, “…that I may know Him (Christ), and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil. 3:10) The calling of every believer to know this power is the same, by faith.
Dear Father, Open our eyes and hearts to know thy power by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad