Same Power

If we truly know God and the Spirit lives within us, then why are
we not seeing God do wonderful things through us for His glory?

Same Power

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

(Romans 8:11)

I watched the new Marvel movie, Black Widow, and it is very action-packed. There are some memorable heroines, heroes, and villains. Alexei, a.k.a. the Red Guardian, is Natasha's father, or at least a father figure to her when she was young. He is a combination of superhero and comedian. He brings levity and laughter into otherwise dire and desperate situations. He is an anomaly in that he has superhuman strength, but he spends much of his life in prison. The only victories he wins are the arm wrestling matches behind bars.

I am afraid that there are many Christians and churches like Alexei. We have this amazing power within, yet we do not utilize it for God's glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. Paul writes that we, as followers of Jesus, have the Holy Spirit of God living in us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within followers of Jesus. I am trying to wrap my mind around this profound theological truth and the implications it holds.

I understand that Paul is referring to the future. Our mortal bodies will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). Christians will receive a resurrected, glorified body at the return of Christ. The Holy Spirit in us now is the guarantee of this future event (Ephesians 1:14). But I don't think Paul is only writing about the future. The Holy Spirit of God dwells in us now! That should mean many things to us. One thing it means to me is we should have power to do mighty things in Jesus' name. Not because we are special, talented, or superhuman; rather, it is because of God in us.

If we truly know God and the Spirit lives within us, then why are we not seeing God do wonderful things through us for His glory? It could be we are in sin and living outside the will of God for our lives. Or it could also mean we simply have not stepped out in faith to what God really wants us to do. The power of God is present and available to His children. Let us yield to Him, ask Him to show us the way forward, step out in faith, and do it.

Not to give too much information if you have not seen the movie, but Alexei does get out of prison, and he goes on to do some remarkable things. What about you and me? Will we, by the Spirit's power within us, do great things for God? As missionary William Carey said, "Let us attempt great things for God and expect great things from God."