Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Ephesians 3:20-21
In Lesson 1 we learned of the immeasurable greatness of God’s power to those who believe. In lesson 2, we understood that all that greatness of power was meant to be worked out through the church all for the glory of God through Jesus Christ. This is an amazing thing to think about.
Let us now consider what this all really means. If God is making His power available in His people in order that His work gets accomplished in His Kingdom, this indicates two things.
1 We do not have to ask God and then wait on help to arrive. Since the power is within us, He has provided our help and it is sitting there ready to be put into action by our faith. When we lay hands on the sick, they recover according to the promise of God’s word. When we cast out demons, they must flee because against God’s power they have no choice. We can take the gospel to others who do not know Jesus Christ, because God’s power will confirm that what we say is of God. (Mark 16:15-20) In this way, all the promises, provisions and protections of God are readily in place for the believer, the believer’s family, and all whom the believer comes in contact with (if they will hear and believe).
2 God is limited in what He can accomplish. Yes, God uses His own power to affect things in earth and in heaven. But the scope of work that actually gets accomplished by God is limited by our level of faith in His word (such as the above referenced scripture passage) and the purpose of our life that we choose to live out (whether we are living to accomplish His will or our own will). We must step out and actually use that power in order for the work to be accomplished. If we do not, we are essentially leaving God’s power sitting unused, not at work for the Kingdom as it should be.
Peter exemplifies what God expects of us in the third chapter of the book of Acts. As Peter and John approach the Beautiful Gate, a lame beggar asked for money. Peter’s response follows:
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
Acts 3:6
Peter understood the power of God within Him. He said, “what I do have I give to you.” What did he have? Peter had the power of God, the authority of God’s word, and the promise of laying hands and recovery. Notice that Peter did not pray for this guy and ask God to heal him. No. Instead, knowing whom and what dwelled inside him, He used that immeasurable greatness of power made available to him and spoke according to faith in Jesus words. He spoke with confidence and authority, for he knew that all he was calling upon was God and His power and none of it was of Peter himself.
What was the outcome of this encounter and Peter’s action?
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
Acts 3:7-8
The outcome is just as God said. The man was healed and God received the glory, both from the healed beggar and from all who saw this man in the temple walking and leaping. This is life in God’s Kingdom as we live out God’s will using God’s immeasurable greatness of power made available to us who believe.
This is both great news and a great responsibility for those who believe. I cannot think of anything more exciting than discovering God’s power is available for us to utilize in our lives and to begin using it for His glory. However, I cannot think of a greater responsibility laid before us than to rise up and walk it out. It takes a commitment to a Kingdom purpose, choosing God’s will over our own.
Lesson 4 – The Power and You
Lesson 1 – God’s Power in People
Lesson 2 – God’s Power at Work
Understanding the Kingdom series
