By picking up a sports page in a newspaper or tuning in to any sporting event on television, it is easy to see the emphasis we place on power. Football is a physical battle from start to finish. Baseball involves more finesse, but spectators still are drawn to the home run hitters and the fastball pitchers, giving us the idea that bigger is better. Powerful dunks fill the highlight reels in basketball, while at the same time, we discuss in amazement the power of Andy Roddick’s serve in tennis and the distance of a Tiger Woods’ drive in golf. Athletes are not much different than the spectators, as we see a corps of competitors drawn to anabolic steroids, in an attempt to grow physically stronger, regardless of adverse effects to health. Sadly, our emphasis on physical strength continues to grow, while ignoring the more important aspect of inner strength.
Christianity is all about power. God has the power of creation. Not only does He create us physically, mentally and spiritually, but He has the power to create us anew when we choose to follow Him. That speaks highly of the power of God, for no man has the power to walk away from addictions or a life of sin by relying on his own strength. Additionally, as Christians, we learn almost instantly that there is a strong power battling against us, but our God, who created Satan and allows Satan’s temporary dominion over the earth, is omnipotent.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
God’s power is most helpful to us in regard to our sin. Without His power of forgiveness, each of us would receive the death that we have earned with our lives. Yet because of God’s grace and mercy, He is able to forgive our sin.
But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Matthew 9:6
The New Testament story of the woman with the blood issue demonstrates to us another aspect of God’s power:
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
Mark 5:27-31
When the power had gone out of Jesus, in Mark 5:30 above, it does not mean that the power of Jesus was dissipated in any way. Before the event, He was all powerful, and that omnipotence remained both during and after the healing. When we are touched by the Lord, He gives us His power. Without that power, we cannot walk away from the sins of our lives, nor will we be reminded of our sins and the confession necessary to receive His forgiveness.
How do we walk in the power of Jesus? To rely on the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, we are to turn away from the lusts of the flesh. But in order to have that close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we must be touched by Him. That involves closeness, and as we all understand from interpersonal relationships, closeness comes from time and focus. When we spend more time in prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship, we get to know more about our Lord. By focusing on a deeper relationship with God, we grow more powerful in Him. That does not mean that we rely more strongly on our own power, but that we learn how to rely on the power of God. He is our strength; with Him, we cannot fail!
God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18
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