Energized or Deprived Believers: A Question of Connection. Filling the Void, Part 1
Almir had heard about the incredible power of electricity from the white men
visiting his tribe. He wanted more than anything to experience this power for
himself, but when he finally succeeded in moving to a place where housing with
such power was available, he had no idea how to tap into it.
Neighbours encouraged him to buy devices such as a television, a radio and even
an alarm clock. When he raised enough money, he followed their advice and
purchased these items, but this only frustrated him because none of these seemed
to work! The television set stood in his room, but no matter what he did, it
remained silent and still. The radio was no different, and he couldn't help but
wonder what the little black box called an "alarm clock" could possibly be used
for.
As he sat in his dark, silent house, he was mystified as to why so many people
boasted about electricity. And the funny thing was, it really did seem to work
for them! How could something supposedly so useful be so totally useless to him?
Why were others successful, while he experienced utter failure? Had he done
something bad in his life that hindered him from enjoying such power?
No one bothered to tell Almir that he needed to be connected to the power
source, that he needed to plug the power cord into the electrical outlet!
Just imagine for a moment trying to use electric devices without electricity.
Electronics would remain completely inoperative. A television set would be
merely decoration-and not even a pretty one! But by tapping into the electrical
source, you suddenly become provided with power beyond imagination. You can
write or talk to people living in distant countries, you can be provided with
heat or air-conditioning, you can cook and preserve food-All things unheard of
100 years ago!
The same is true with God's Spirit, the "spiritual electricity" to anyone who
believes. However, His power remains a mystery to anyone who does not connect
himself to God by receiving His Holy Spirit!
Consider the following text: "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from
whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out
of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in
your inner being." (Eph 3:14-16 NIV)
The word rendered here in English by the word "power" is referred to as "dunámei"
in the original Greek. Our word, "dynamite", comes from the same root. As you
know, dynamite is quite powerful and can be used to remove any obstruction from
our path. The text literally says: "He may strengthen you with dynamite from His
Spirit." In other words, God provides us with unbelievable power. But the only
way to experience such power is to be connected and stay connected with the
power source.
But how can we do this?
The apostle Paul gives us the answer two verses earlier: "In him and through
faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Eph 3:12 NIV)
This text is worded somewhat differently in the original Greek. It says: "In
whom we have boldness and access with confidence by His faith." The original
text does not stress our faith but Jesus' faith! Wow! And His faith is made
available to anyone!
What kind of dynamic power is available to us?
1. "…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…" (Eph 3:17 NIV) Wow! If
we let Him, Jesus will dwell in us and we will experience Him on a personal
level!
2. "…may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep is the love of Christ…" (Eph 3:18 NIV) Through God's Spirit we
will be able to grasp how much Jesus loves us, a love immeasurable in human
terms!
3. "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the
measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:19 NIV) We can be filled to "all the
fullness of God", a fullness that guarantees utter victory.
And just how powerful is God's "dynamite"?
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph
3:20-21 NIV)
Friends, we cannot even fathom all the power that is available to us! Is it
possible that just like Almir, we experience defeat because we do not know how
to "be connected"? So many depend on their own efforts to attain heaven and to
develop intimacy with God, but in all reality it is God Himself who pursues us
and makes intimacy with Him possible! And, He grants us salvation at the same
time! All of this is available though "His faith". Not ours, but "His"!
Is it possible that so many believers are experiencing failure because they have
no idea of the power available to them through God's Spirit? Is it possible that
we concentrate too much on our own efforts instead of depending solely on Jesus'
faith? Are we realizing how much God really loves us?
The difference between a victorious believer and a defeated one is that the
first one is connected and remains connected. The first one lets "God's
fullness" fill his inner void. Nothing else will do! Illicit attractions from
this world will always be unfulfilling and deceiving and will inevitably lead to
addictions. Victory can be ours, but only if we depend on Jesus' faith. Only if
we make the decision to remain connected with the All-Powerful One!
"Your fellowship with God enables you to gain a victory over the Evil One. Don't
love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes
out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world -
wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear
important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.
The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever
does what God wants is set for eternity." (1 John 2:14-17 The Message)
Are you connected? Is your "electrical cord" plugged in?
Rob Chaffart