Strong Enough
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3
POWER! Jesus defines your source of power. And through His power you have all that you need for life and godliness.
This promise may appear to imply a general perspective of all that we need in life (the external needs for our life’s care). But the context of this verse emphasizes primarily all that you need for living the life to which God has called you in Christ. The promise for external needs to be met becomes true for every Child of God, but 2 Peter 1:3 proclaims that you are fully equipped by the power of Christ to live for Him. No amount of spiritual challenges, temptations or trials will meet you unequipped. You are well resourced through the power of Jesus. And how is this possible? Romans 8:11 gives an amazing reality for the true follower of Christ: the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Through the Holy Spirit in you, you are indeed equipped spiritually to live for Jesus.
But questions may surface: If this is true, then why do I struggle so much in my faith? If this is true, then why do I often times feel weak, and why do I often fail in my obedience to Jesus?
Dallas Willard, in his book Divine Conspiracy, reminds us of the availability of God’s power through a personal story. “It is like the farm I grew up on; we had no electricity until the new power company came through and brought the source of power. We then turned from our efforts of kerosene lamps and dry-cell batteries and received the greater power.” You are equipped with God’s power. The question is not, “am I strong enough?” The real question is, “have I turned from my own efforts to the GREATER source of power that is in me?”
His Power is Ours. We are told in the Scriptures that the Gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:16). The Gospel of Christ expresses the power of God through our salvation. Therefore, all we know of God’s power is manifested through Christ and becomes applied to the life of a follower of Jesus in the new birth. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has placed within each believer a spirit of power.
How do I live in this truth? His power does not become expressed through the control of human will, but rather becomes a power that provides for God’s ultimate purpose. If Jesus depended upon the power of God (Luke 4:14, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit”), how much more should we rely upon His power as well. We, in our human state, contend with self-weaknesses by increasing our strength and energy. If unconditioned we visit the gym, if sick we advocate medical care, and if emotionally deterred we seek counsel. Nevertheless, such treatments are built on the renewal of man’s strength. The power God gives us through Jesus does not represent a renewal of our own power, or even a utilization of some physical, emotional, or spiritual strength of our own character and body. His power is of a divine nature, meaning that there is no human quality that makes up His power, and no human will that can direct His power. God’s power, made available through Jesus and manifested in our lives through the Holy Spirit, gives us exactly what we need.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 describes the divine framework of God’s power in us.
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
So today, I am not sure what you are facing that requires His strength, but trust in His power that lives in you. You do not need to go find strength. His strength is yours. Cease trying to do things in your own power and depend upon Him! You will be amazed at what God will do.
Blessings,
Ken
