God’s Power In You!
To my God, a heart of flame; to my fellow men, a heart of love; to myself, a heart of steel.
⁃ St. Augustine
In a world that often leaves us feeling powerless, overwhelmed, and drained, we are assured that, as believers, we are not reliant on our strength or wisdom. Instead, through His Spirit, God fortifies us from within, enabling us to face life’s trials with courage, participate in his mission with vitality, and influence the world with Christ’s love and truth. This is God’s “dynamis” that He has placed within us, fueling us to live boldly and vibrantly for his glory.
With the dawn of the gospel era, many Africans surrendered their lives to Jesus, mainly because of His supreme authority over demons and diviners. They gravitated toward the Gospel’s power and encountered the truth along the way. Christians of high-power encounter cultures that heavily rely on Christ’s resurrection and authoritative power. Their daily interactions with people and spiritual warfare against the demons reflect this reality.
I recall playing soccer with my friends in our village in Ethiopia. During a brief break, one of my friends went to our house for a cup of water. He was behaving a bit differently that day. The people in my house were praying. They noticed that something was not right with the boy. They took him in their midst, prayed over him, and drove out the demons in Christ’s name. Within such a moment, he returned relieved and free and resumed the soccer game. These people raised their spiritual-warfare antennae to discern and confront the enemy in Christ’s name.
The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:16 stated, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” In this verse, the Apostle Paul employs the term “dynamis” for power, a term from which the English word “dynamite” is derived. This word vividly depicts the inherent strength that God, through His Spirit, infuses within our very essence. This divine dynamism enhances our spiritual vitality and resilience, invigorating us from within to withstand life’s adversities and embark on our calling.
The Apostle also makes mention of our “inner being,” implying the deepest, unseen core of our spiritual self, where our true beliefs, attitudes, and spiritual nature reside. Paul’s prayer, therefore, is not for a fleeting, external influence of God’s power but for a radical transformation emanating from the core of our being, impacting every aspect of our lives.
Our potential is realized when we are filled with the Spirit of God, just like a clay pot reaches its full capacity when it is filled to the brim. In the Old Testament, individuals were granted the Spirit for specific tasks, like filling a pot with water. For example, Samson was granted supernatural strength through the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 14:6).
However, the New Testament brings a significant shift, as John 3:34 proclaims, “God gives the Spirit without limit.” This means that believers now have the Spirit permanently indwelling within them, and they become vessels continually overflowing with God’s love and power.
In the book of Acts, we see the Spirit at work, granting a new identity for us to become Christ’s witnesses in the world. He also fosters our shared identity as the body of Christ, transcending cultural backgrounds and uniting us under God’s grand purpose (Acts 2:4, 1 Cor. 12:13). Guided by the Holy Spirit, the early Church adopted creative outreach, mobilizing resources with the view of eternal perspectives. We see this communal Spirit embodied as believers unified, sharing all their resources to change the world for God’s glory (Acts 4:32).
The renowned theologian and reformer Martin Luther underscored this, stating, “The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified me, and kept me in the true faith.” Similarly, evangelist D.L. Moody noted, “You might as well try to hear without ears or breathe without lungs as to try to live a Christian life without the Spirit of God in your heart.” His words, echoing Galatians 5:25’s command to live and keep in step with the Spirit, emphasize our dependency on the Spirit in our lives.
Seeking the work of the Spirit becomes essential to fostering understanding and deeper relationships with Christ and His people. The Spirit enables us to comprehend and apply the teachings of Christ, illuminating the Scriptures and leading them into a deeper understanding of God’s truth. The Spirit also strengthens our relationship with Christ, helping us to experience His love, grace, and guidance on a personal and intimate level.
Practical Awakening
By developing a genuine thirst for the work of the Spirit, we will open ourselves to the transformative power of God, allowing Him to cultivate spiritual growth, wisdom, and discernment within us.
To embark on this transformative journey, we can focus on practical engagements that will help us to be in step with the Holy Spirit:
• Yielding to Christ and His Word:
Fully surrendering oneself to Christ requires understanding, trust, and dedication to His teachings. Such surrender brings transformation. Romans 12:2 solidifies this by saying, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
• Worshiping with a Grateful Heart.
Regardless of the external situations, maintaining a thankful heart and hope is paramount in one’s spiritual journey. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Being Filled with the Ongoing Power of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit’s power is not just a one-time experience at our baptism or other major Devine moments; it’s a continuous empowerment that guides us in all aspects of life. Ephesians 5:18 instructs, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
• Allowing God to Stir up our whole Being:
God desires to be at the center of our lives, not just a part of them. This includes our emotions, intellect, and will. Ephesians 3:17–19 emphasizes this, stating, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
• Being Christ’s Witness to Others:
Every believer is called to be a witness, sharing the love and teachings of Christ with others. Acts 1:8 highlights this mission. “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.”
In conclusion, spiritual empowerment is inherently relational. It involves an intimate connection with God and His purpose. It is founded upon a relationship that reflects the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22–23. It impacts the individual and their interactions with others, influencing their service to the community and the world. As such, it is purposeful. It’s not meant to be for personal glory or gain, but for advancing God’s kingdom. We aim to live out the Gospel, sharing God’s love with others.
Case Study:
Once a dwindling congregation, Saint Lucas Lutheran Church experienced a remarkable transformation. A handful lay leaders, yearning for change, deepened their scriptural studies and sought a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit. Their fervor set off a vibrant awakening, breathing new life into their Bible study sessions. Moved by the Spirit, they ventured into community service with food drives, volunteer work, and prayer walks. This wave of joy swept through the congregation, replacing apathy with a dynamic sense of purpose.
The result was a remarkable growth of the congregation, united in their passion for serving God and others. The transformative journey of Saint Lucas Lutheran Church is a great testament to the ‘dynamite’ power of the Holy Spirit in and through God’s people.
Discussion Questions:
• How can we, as individuals, cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower us in our daily lives and ministries?
• How can regular engagement with the Scriptures and prayer as small groups of believers enhance our experience and understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives?
• In what ways can our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s power influence our approach to addressing the needs of our community?
• What steps can we take to encourage and uplift lay leaders in our churches to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength?
• What practical steps can we take to be more effective witnesses of Christ’s love and power in our everyday interactions, both within and outside the church?