All sincere Christians thirst for spiritual power and are aware of their lack of it.  But what is spiritual power?  Let us put it straight what it’s  not:

It’ s not an emotional church platform show.  The musical performers  there may exhibit a lot of enthusiasm and exuberant charisma accompanied by loud music and drum beats, but that’ s not spiritual power.

It’ s not “speaking in tongues”.  From where do some get that idea?  Not from the Bible.  “Tongues” are there, but they certainly don’ t equal spiritual power.  The deceived Corinthians are a sad example of that.

It’ s not a “second blessing”  to be sought.  There is such a thing as being “endued with power from on high” which happens  day by day , but not as a “second blessing”.  By the way, every spiritual blessing is given us richly in Christ already (Eph. 1:3).

What is it then?

It is Christ!  Applying Him afresh to our thirsty souls is the power you and I need.  “Christ the power of God”  (1 Cor. 1:24) is the secret of our power too.  Never think of yourself apart from Him.   Nothing else will do, neither will any “experience”.

It is applying Christ through His word,  His word being as good as His person.  His Spirit makes Him real  to our hearts.  “It is the Spirit who gives life:  the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life!”  (John 6:63)

It is Christ in our weakness.  A friend of mine deplored his lack of power at a meeting.  A dear sister took him aside after the meeting and asked him, “Do the all things in Rom. 8:32 include power?”  He got her message which was certainly of the Lord.

It is Christ encountered in stillness – not in restless noise.  “In returning and rest you shall be saved;  in quietness and confidence shall be your strength!”  (Isa. 30:15).  “When were you saved?” a dear old saint was asked.  “This very morning”, he smiled.  There “in quietness and confidence” he had had a fresh encounter with Christ!

So, let us encourage one another to look to Him.  “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not shamed!”  (Psa. 34:5). He has crowned you with His lovingkindness (Psa. 103:4).  How does your face  look like with such a smiling crown?

Yakima, WA, USA, Sept. 17, 2013 – jn