There are a few different types of power hungry Christians that I’ve met over the years. There are the Dominion groups, both conservative and charismatic, who want to take over the world for Christ the king, either politically, socially, or spiritually. There are the signs and wonders groups that want to call down fire from heaven anytime they should so desire. There are the legalists who like to rule over their followers through condemnation. And there are the traditionalists and denominationalists that set up hierarchies of power to maintain proper distance between individuals and God.The thing is all of these groups have taken elements that Jesus taught and built man-made traditions around them. But the kind of power a Christian should seek can never be found in man-made traditions.
Jesus once told the disciples, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." (Luke 10:19-20)
Jesus also said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
If you want to know power, seek to know God. He doesn’t need your help to bring His kingdom to earth, He doesn’t need your help to perform signs and wonders, He doesn’t need your help to convict sinners, and He doesn’t need your help as mediators when dealing with people.
But when you know Him, when you speak to Him and He speaks back, when you submit to Him and obey His commandments, when you love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might, He will endow you with power from on high to accomplish His will on Earth, which might include all those things mentioned above.
The point is don’t start out thinking you know what’s best when it comes to wielding God’s power. You are not a superhero out to save the day. Don’t pray, “God give me the ability to do ‘x, y, or z’.” Rather, seek God’s face because He’s God. Get to know the One who gives and takes away. Pray, “God I want to do whatever you want me to do today. I’m totally submitted to You because I love You.” Serve Him in your weakest moments just as lovingly and confidently as in the moments where it seems like all of heaven is at your beck and call, not because of anything He can do for you, but because of Who He Is:
The I Am, The Beginning and the End, the Creator, the Almighty One, Savior, Deliverer, Provider, Healer, the Jealous One, Merciful and Just, Father, Bridegroom, Brother, Friend . . . Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come!
1 comment:
I think the opposite of the power-seeking mentality is described in the word 'meekness'. I can't see the two coexisting. Jesus was meek, and never sought personal power or influence for Himself. He allowed people to oppose Him without seeking vengeance on them. He even cried over them. By living meekly, He kept the power and glory in His Father's hands. This attitude is too rare among us today. Thanks for the needed post.
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