Someone wrote a book once called “Power for Living“. I actually knew the fellow that was dating the author’s daughter. Crazy, eh?
Anyway power to live is exactly what I can use right now. What is pretty awesome is that I already have that power. It was given to all of us who accepted Christ. See here:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” – 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
That sounds super but I want to dig just a bit deeper. Let’s go old school:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” – 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
Now really old school with the Greek:
“According as his divine (theious: of the power of God) power (dunamis: higher force working in this lower world) hath given (doreomai: voluntarily) unto us all things that pertain unto life (zoe: life in the absolute sense) and godliness (eusebeia: piety characterized by a Godward attitude), through the knowledge (epignosis: the complete comprehension after the first knowledge of a matter) of him that hath called (kaleo: to summon) us to glory (doxa: the nature and acts of God manifested) and virtue (arete: the manifestation of his divine power).” – 2 Peter 1:3
Now back to the present:
We have been gifted by God’s great power with everything we need to have a full and real life including an attitude and piety that will please God. These gifts come through a growing comprehension of who this God is that summons us to live in his nature and a manifestation of his power that grants us the physical and moral ability we need.
God wants good things for us … his things. And he has given us the strength to strive for this absolute life. Now how do we active the physical and moral ability he’s given us?
Joel Spencer
25 June 2009 at 7:59 am
Great post Raven. I think the problem is that we just don’t really understand all that took place at our salvation. It is not just hope for the afterlife, church membership or the ability to overcome sin, it is so much more. Within it lies health, wholeness, the mind of Christ, freedom, gifts, power, peace……. although all of these things are given to us already when we’re born from above, the key is that they need attention and nurturing (working out our salvation).
I think instance by instance we grasp the fullness of what Christ has enabled us to become. When we actually step into what He has for us, we see it clearer. Then we step again, and again and so on, maturing into a capable son/daughter. Each time seeing what He has already given being manifested on the outside of us.
Thats’ how I see it anyway.
travismurphy
3 July 2009 at 1:03 am
Love it, Raven. Lately, as you know, I’ve been tested in the area of trusting God and relenquishing control of my own life. Perhaps it is only then that we can tap into the abundant freedom and power that has been instilled in us. I can’t wait to see the things in store for all of us as we continue to dig deeper. You’ve been a constant inspiration (even if you can’t see it). I’m glad that you’re a part of whatever it is God is doing in us during this season.