The Apostle Peter describes it this way: "His (Jesus Christ's) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Much of what it means to be a believer is found in God's power and promises. We have hope of heaven because of his power and promises. We are to live with a confident expectation that God has the power to fulfill every promise he has made to us. This hope is based on faith, and confirmed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The proof of our eternal life is God's presence in our lives today. Eternity can and should be a reality for every believer.
Peter writes that through believing God's promises we "participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." These are two important aspects of eternity. Although we still possess our old nature, our new nature is already present within us now. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..." (2 Corinthians 5:17) "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them." (Ezekiel 11:19)
This new spirit enables us to love and serve Christ now.
In Philippians 3:8-11, Paul speaks of his urgent desire to know Christ “and the power of His resurrection.” He isn’t asking God for more theoretical knowledge about the resurrection of Jesus or the powerful means by which he was brought back to life. He isn’t saying, “Lord, I need to know how you pulled it off.” He is asking God that he might personally experience the very supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
And notice that isn’t merely “power” that Paul desires. It is God’s power. It is the “greatness” of this power that occupies his attention. It is the “immeasurable” greatness of his power, which is to say that this power is without limit. It is infinite. It never falls short of accomplishing what God has designed for it.
The power of God is essential for every facet of Christian living. When Paul explained to the Colossian Christians how he managed to persevere in his ministry, this is how he said it: “For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me” (Col. 1:29). God infuses his very own supernatural energy into his servants. This energy, says Paul, is available “within” each and every believer.
Experiencing the power of God the Holy Spirit was never intended to be an exceptional, rare, or sporadic phenomenon, but was designed by God to be the routine, ordinary, daily reality in the life of every believer, regardless of their education, social standing, financial status, or role in the church. This power isn’t merely available to you this week or next year. God intends for you to live in it and draw from it every moment of every day.
But He will only do that to those who are endeavoring to live out the Lord’s prayer…”your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We must live our lives giving Him the praise and honor He deserves.
In closing, consider these verses referencing the power of God:
"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." (Acts 1:80
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)
"But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us . . ." (Ephesians 3:20)
Power comes from God to those of us who are followers of Christ and are on a journey to submit to Him saying, “Your will be done." May we walk in the light and draw from the true power all that He desires for each of our lives. Amen.
