Everyday Christianity: First Things (6)
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4.20
A small crisis
I am presently having to deal with a small crisis.
The little flashlight on the leash I use to take our dogs out at night is rechargeable by a USB cable. At present, the leash needs recharging, and I am at a loss as to what I have done with the cable. Soon, the little light that shows the way out to the circle in the middle of our cul de sac, the light I use to make sure no bear has wandered into our vicinity (more than a remote possibility), the light which enables me to complete my task in our dogs’ duty, that light is about to go out, and I cannot locate the recharging cable.
Pray for me.
I have other options for lighting, but they are neither as convenient nor effective as the light on the leash. I need to plug that light into the power. There’s work to do.
Happily, as we rise each morning to begin another day of fulfilling our commission and pursuing our calling, the power we need to bring the Light of Jesus into our world-niche is fully and permanently plugged into our soul, ready to be tapped. Because we have been conveyed into the eternal Kingdom of our sovereign God and loving Savior, we have a steady current of Power at work within us, ready to recharge us each day, no USB cable required. And that’s good, because there’s work to do:
Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90.16, 17)
The power of God
The power of God’s Kingdom is His Holy Spirit. The Spirit Who brooded over the entire creation. The Spirit Who roams and pervades the world. The Spirit Who inspired the prophets, raised Jesus from the day, birthed the Church on the first Christian Pentecost, gave words to the apostles, and has given us a new heart and resides within our soul, that Spirit, that Light and Power, is at work within us, that we should be willing and able to do that which leads to the pleasure of God (Phil. 2.12, 13).
Whatever God has called and appointed for us to do, He will do (1 Thess. 5.24). Power to take us every day beyond whatever heights of glory we realized the day before is at work with us, charged, ready, and able—exceeding and abundantly able (Eph. 3.20). As the Holy Spirit writes the Law of God and all His Word on our heart (Ezek. 36.26, 27), He expands the power our soul requires to do the work God has appointed for us.
This is spiritual power, to be sure. But it is real. It is more real and more powerful than any other form of power. And it is power which King Jesus directs from His throne for the purpose of making all things new (Rev. 21.5). We can block or hinder that power by failing to feed on God’s Word and seek the filling of the Spirit in prayer. The more we do so, the dimmer our light becomes. But by prayer, repentance, and turning to God’s Word, we can plug back into the power of the Spirit and continue His work in and through us.
Kingdom power
My friend Mike McQueen understands this. Every day, as he sits up in bed and puts his feet on the floor, Mike focuses on the Lord and prays that He will fill him with the Holy Spirit. Mike knows he needs to re-engage the Spirit’s power if he is to fulfill his calling to bear witness to Jesus that day (Acts 1.8).
So should we all, every day as we encounter situations where a fresh surge of spiritual power is required. We must attempt to do the work appointed to us on our own power. Apart from Jesus and the Spirit Who dwells within us, we can do nothing (Jn. 15.5). But in His power, nothing will be impossible for us (Matt. 17.20). The power of God’s Spirit can fill the soul with the thoughts, desires, and convictions of Jesus. A Spirit-filled soul engages the body in all its various strengths to live as Jesus would. Thus, seeking the filling of the Spirit must be a continual discipline in our everyday walk with the Lord.
When we are filled with Spirit, we see more clearly how we must live. We will love Jesus more and hate all sin. We anticipate attacks from spiritual foes and resist them when they come. Our hunger for God’s Word and truth grows stronger every day. We can do all our duties, in love for God and our neighbors, even those that may be somewhat unpleasant. And, as the Spirit works powerfully within us every day, He transforms us increasingly into the likeness of Jesus, so that we bear holy spiritual fruit in greater abundance each day.
Be sure to plug-in to the Holy Spirit each morning and throughout the day. There is nothing “everyday” about Christians, and no crisis is too daunting for those who walk in the Spirit every day of their lives.
Oh, and Susie just found the charger. Crisis resolved.
For reflection or discussion
1. How do you know when you are filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5.18-21)?
2. Why must we not try to do the Lord’s work on our own strength or by our own wits?
3. What does it mean to “walk” in the Spirit rather than in the flesh (Gal. 5.16-23)?
Next Steps—Preparation: If you don’t already, begin praying every day, first thing and throughout, that God would fill you with His Holy Spirit. Then live as if you believe He has done so.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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This week: Our Read Moore podcast is from the book, Patrick: A Devotional History. In our Crosfigell teaching letter, we are studying examples of the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. And in the daily Scriptorium column we are working our way through the Gospel of Matthew. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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