The Power of God on Display in Your Life: A Meditation

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(c) Deborah Evans

Many Christians speak of and pray for "the power of God" to be sent to them, and often a prayer is sent for the "power of God" to move in and through someone. What does this mean?

Scripture teaches us the power of God, often expressed as the power of the Holy Spirit, is sent to 1. give us the ability to consistently display the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and 2. reveal in new and unique ways the person and work of Jesus Christ.

We know the gifts of the Spirit are talents and abilities used to uplift and strengthen the church, show the character of God in human experience, and to show seekers what it means to be in communion with God.

Never expect to have the power of God made available to you in order to control, manipulate, or dominate a situation or person. 

The power of God on display means your life and experiences will more and more closely mirror the character and purposes of God.

God gives us gifts and power so we can worship, witness, and build a community that reflects God's will for humanity. Seeking power for any other reason will lead you into deception, failure, and frustration. As the apostle Paul reminds the church (Galatians 6:7-8), "God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Don't be deceived into thinking you can call the power of God into your life for any reason other than displaying the gifts of the Spirit to glorify God. Paul's words were directed to those who were in the church, not to nonbelievers. If you're seeking power and gifts, ask yourself why. Whose glory and promotion are you seeking?
 

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