Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Power To Witness
One of the most important things that Jesus told His disciples before going to the Father comes from what He said in Luke 24:49. “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 (ESV)
The disciples and other followers of Jesus knew that they needed to continue His work even after Jesus would leave, but they did not expect Him to say what He said. Jesus told them not to do anything until they were clothed with power from on high.
The word power is very important in this verse. The Greek word that is used here for power is ‘dunamis.’ The English words “dynamo,” “dynamite” and “dynamic” all come from this Greek word ‘dunamis.’ We know that the English words here mean explosive or forceful impact. Jesus wanted the disciples to be clothed with an explosive and forceful impact before they did anything to expand God’s kingdom.
This explosive power was going to be the power of the Holy Spirit. We can also see this in Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (ESV).
Jesus wanted us to be personally empowered by the Holy Spirit before we reach others for Him and His glory. We cannot witness without being empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we do things without the power of the Holy Spirit, we do things in vain. We do things in our own ability. We eventually end up placing our faith and expectations in our abilities, strategies and circumstances rather than placing them in the explosive power of the Holy Spirit.
As believers we need to constantly depend on the Holy Spirit and His power that has been made available to us by the Grace of God. The life of a believer is supposed to be an explosive life. We need to make a difference in the world around us. When the 120 believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit in the upper room, all of Jerusalem felt the impact. The dramatic impact came not just because the disciples followed Jesus, but because of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us not live lives being afraid of the enemy. Let us live like the Holy Spirit is really present in us and is with us. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of wisdom, faith, holiness, grace, power and truth. You don’t need anything else to be a witness or to do what God has called you to do. There is nothing to fear. He will give you the wisdom you need. Learn from Him. He is the greatest teacher the world has ever known. And when we face tough times He is always there to comfort us.
So let’s live bold lives. There is no substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. Witness with boldness by depending on the power of the Holy Spirit and bring Glory to God.
Scripture Of The Day: “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” - 1 Corinthians 4:20 (ESV)
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