“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian believers of his day, that his great objective in life was to know Christ, and the POWER of His resurrection. In his letters to the believers in Ephesus as well as in Colosse, Paul would speak very clearly and powerfully concerning the matter of spiritual strength, and the power of Christ, that of God given to men. This power given to believers after the resurrection of Christ, and His ascension, was the same as revealed on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem when the Spirit of God was poured out. Though the power of the indwelling Christ by the Spirit resided in the heart of every believer, and was revealed in the various churches, it was not only a fountain of living water, a river of abundant life and blessing, but a measured gift to every believer according to their calling, gifts, and individual needs in particular circumstances. The “River” of the Spirit, and its manifest power, was given in the wisdom of God to those who needed such a greatness of power to do the will of God when facing remarkable needs and opposition. The quiet, and controlled power, was given daily to the individual believer who was called upon to walk with Christ, abide in Him, in order to do the will of God, in things great and small. The manifestation of the overwhelming, all victorious power of the Spirit, was revealed mightily on the day of Pentecost, and in later revivals and times of spiritual awakening throughout history. The daily appropriation of the power of Christ in order to live victoriously. However, whatever the circumstances, this power was and is given in the measure that each individual believer needs it. We cannot measure it, nor calculate how much of the power of Christ must be received to live like this. Only Christ who has partaken of our sorrows and suffering, intimately acquainted with all our need, will give His power according to His promise: “…My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
So, what is the Scriptural protocol, God’s way of meeting the individual soul, communicating His power and love to the believer on a daily, moment by moment basis? The answer begins with the revelation of Who God in Christ is, and who the sinner is without Him. When the apostles of the New Testament were sent to proclaim the gospel, they went forth preaching Christ, as the Son of God, Savior of the world, the crucified slain Lamb of God for the sins of the world, the Father confirming it by Christ’s resurrection from the dead. These truths are essential in order to turn to Christ.
The second revelation is that of the true knowledge of sinful man, his lost condition, absolutely helpless and hopeless without a Savior. The Law of God, and the call of God to perfectly obey it to be justified before His holiness, has shut the sinner up to his plight, and state of lostness, and separation from God, and from all that is good apart from God, especially with regard to forgiveness of sins and life eternal. So, the truth of the gospel brings every sinner who is willing to be saved, to his knees, not to present his own righteousness to God, but to ask for God’s mercy, in order to receive by grace the faith and power to believe God for the cleansing from all sins, and the free gift of eternal life in Christ.
The third revelation that is key is perceiving and grasping of the truth of one’s union with Christ by the Spirit. Being born again of the Spirit, the individual believer has been placed forever into living union with Jesus Christ, to live by and for Him. In that place of certain good, IN CHRIST, is found every answer, resource, every measure of power and strength, to glorify God.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to receive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.