Perspective, Persistence, Power – Part 3

The Bible says, “And you shall receive power…” Acts 1:8 (NKJV). Power is influence, power is an ability to re-arrange and effect things. In other words, you have the jurisdiction, inherent power of God to act, and exercise the control which was bequeathed to you in Genesis 1:26 (TLB).

Have you wondered why people crave power? They do so because it seems to authenticate who they are one way or another, hence you hear people say things like, “Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is? The person who makes that kind of statement wants you to know they have authority to do as they please irrespective. The fact that we have power, does not give us the “carte blanche” to do whatever we like. Absolutely not; we are accountable to a higher authority.

Power is meant to be used to serve, and not to suppress the rights of anyone. The conscious choice to serve brings one to aspire to lead. That person who uses their power to serve others is sharply different from one who is power hungry first; “perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions.” (Greenleaf, 1970). We see this today in our society and leadership, where elected (corrupt) officials use their power of position to steal from the masses and empty the treasury.

Have you ever stopped for a moment to think, God willed all earthly authority to you and I; we don’t have to struggle for it like other people who would kill, steal, and even give their soul to get this power we have been so freely given? Do you know what it means, to have so much power yet unable to effect any change? Beloved, you are not disadvantaged, under privileged nor helpless; we have the authority, and have been authenticated by the blood of Jesus to operate in His power.

Dearly beloved, ‘Life without the power of God is unsustainable.’ Think with me and observe what the Bible says, “But you are so foolish and so ignorant! Because you are in darkness, all the foundations of society are shaken to the core.” Read Psalm 82:5 (TLB). In other words, any other power outside God is not power at all.

Power is taking up the mantle of God, and becoming the Elijah’s, Ezekiels, Jeremiah’s of our time, (As an assignment for you, go and check what it was like in the days of these names I mentioned), and always remember, “Authority is from God alone,” Romans 13:1 tells us.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.