We Have the Same Power as Jesus
Luke wrote two accounts of the time between Jesus' resurrection and ascension. In them, he tells of the power Jesus used to open the minds of disciples, and then he gives that power to the disciples to use for the glory of God. Consider the following verses:
____________________
Luke 24:45a Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures...
Acts 1:1-2 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
Acts 1:5b ...you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
Acts 1:8 But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
____________________
There appears to be a lot more to "being like Jesus" and "following Jesus" than taking on his character and being a better person. That's important, but it's not the extent of the mission Jesus has given his people. As a commissioned disciple of Jesus, a Christian, I am one small extension of Jesus' ministry in the world. And the Spirit empowers all of Jesus' disciples to do ministry they never could do as mere human beings. Like Jesus, we move and act in the power of the Holy Spirit, and that should change the way we see our purpose in the world.
I want to be clear.
I'm not suggesting we have the power to command the Holy Spirit. We cannot open people's minds to the Scriptures on command. But we can read, preach, and speak them knowing the Spirit can use our efforts to carry out his purposes and enact his power. We can pray for the Spirit's power to be poured out. And we can take risks, choosing to follow the leading of the Spirit, trusting that he has the power to sustain us and bring about his purposes through us.
Labels:
Missions,
New Testament,
Pneumatology
7 comments:
Man, I hate this! I can't comment on your blog. I've had my posts eaten twice by this comment system by trying to post as my blog profile. It makes no sense whatsoever!
Anyway, we often forget what Jesus has told us what the Holy Spirit is to do for us as described in John. But this time, I'm not going to go into length anymore. :P
Oh, hey Jayce!
I'm hearing that others are having the same problem. I don't know if it's my choice of template, or if it's Google, or what. I'm sorry about that.
Yes, I think you're right. I very rarely trust the power of the Holy Spirit. I often default to trusting in only what I think I can do on my own. One of the results is prayerlessness. When I don't pray, I'm basically saying I am going to operate in my own power.
I figured out how to post now!
You made it clear without even having to explain it. Thank you for taking the risk by sharing this. And by trusting that He has the power to bring about his purpose. I believe He will.
Thanks Franzwa.
this is so awesome. My mind went to another level as this scripture was discussed in bible study. I have become much more closer to christ through this scripture.
Did not Yahshua (Jesus) state that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we could move mountains and cast them into the sea? That we would do many things "greater" the He did? Once Yahshua left his earthly life, he regained all His heavenly powers; but before he left, he told us that the powers we have are even greater than angels; as if we cast them (the evil ones) out in His name, they have to obey us. That means that we have more powers than angels; but few of us utilize those powers over evil. Even "good" angels we're told, are here to serve us. They are God's workers to help us. The Holy Spirit is here to teach and guide us. All of this is ours for the taking, "IF" we keep Yahshua's commandments. Yahshua made it perfectly clear, that all depends upon our love and obedience to Him.
Post a Comment