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"And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."
(Ephesians 1:19-20)
In this week's devotions, I have been sharing with you the biblical truth that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the power of the Holy Spirit, lives in every follower of Jesus. If we could grasp the meaning and significance of this truth, it would empower us to live in victory and serve God with much joy and effectiveness.
My pastor in seminary told us that reading the New Testament in its original language of Greek is like watching a movie on TV in color, opposed to watching in black and white. Yes, I am old enough to remember black and white television! Read our biblical text again, and this time note the Greek words I have placed beside the English translations:
"And what is the exceeding greatness of His power (dunamis) toward us who believe, according to the working (energeian) of His mighty (ischyos) power (kratous) which He worked (energeken) in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."
God's power is incomparable. The word "power" (dunamis) is "a spiritually dynamic and living force." It is where we get English words like dynamite and dynamo. Energeian is God's "energetic power," and it is where we get the English word energy. The next word is ischyos, and this word refers to God's strength, might, and ability. I love the next word Paul uses to describe God's awesome power; it is the word kratous. W.H. Hoehner describes the word this way in the Ephesians section of The Bible Knowledge Commentary: "Power that overcomes resistance, as in Christ's miracles; this word is used only of God, never of believers." Hoehner concludes, "This magnificent accumulation of words for power underscores the magnitude of God's 'great power' available to Christians."
The Apostle Paul teaches the church at Ephesus in the first century a powerful truth that is applicable for every century of believers. The same power of God manifested in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is available to anyone who believes God for it! The key word is believe! God's magnificent, awesome power is unleashed in a mere mortal human being when that person believes.
The resurrection power of God protects His children and empowers us to do great things in His name. Philippians 4:13 is still in the Bible! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ("Strength" in Greek is the root word dunamis.)
We can even be content in terrible circumstances, as Philippians 4 teaches us. We can live a Spirit-filled life where all the fruit of the Holy Spirit lives in us and is manifested in us. We can change our world, tell others about Christ, be a difference maker. We can win the battle in our minds with anxiety, depression, and fear. How could this ever be? It happens when the power of God is unleashed in our lives when we believe for it.
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