Power of God

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 (NKJV).

The hope of your calling is found in Jesus Christ, His faith and His baptism. By faith, you were baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, resulting in you becoming a new person in Christ Jesus. The change has begun from the inside out. Your core being is new, resulting in a lifeline freedom to be new in your lifestyle.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV). Your new eternal identity is that you are a chosen, holy, royal priest who God dotes upon. You’re His special possession. It is from the power of this identity that you praise “Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” You core being is programmed to generate holy behaviors and holy words that praise God, illustrating to the world that you’re LIGHT and not darkness anymore.

Along with the power of being a new person who is no longer defined by that old sinful person you once were, you also are filled with the same power that raised Jesus from a state of total death. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19-20 (NKJV). There are many parallels here. Just as Christ was dead and now He’s alive, you were dead and now you’re alive. The power of God did this for both of you. Jesus Christ is no longer defined by death and shame, instead He’s been raised to the place of honor. Similarly, you are no longer defined by death and shame, as you have been seated in Heavenly places with Christ Jesus. As you realize the power for godliness that lives inside of your saintly spirit, you’ll have hope and motivation to align your soul and behaviors with your identity. When you participate in this sanctifying process, you will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, who empowered Jesus’s lifeless body. Was He successful? Will you be successful?

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 (NLT). The Life-Giver lives inside of you and your spirit is infused with the life of Christ. You are steeped in the power of God and He has clothed you with the garments of righteousness. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV). This is who you are. Be the same person on the outside as you are on the inside. You are saved, so proudly wear your garments of salvation. You are righteous, so model for the watching world your garments of righteousness.

Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, Teach me to walk in your ways, wearing my garments of salvation and my robe of righteousness. You have given them to me, and I want to wear them daily. Empower me to rebuke my flesh and choose to walk in the Spirit. Thank you for making me a righteous saint and for filling me with the power to be godly. Please baptize me in that power, just as you have baptize me in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’s name amen.”