Obtaining Compassionate Power

A thoughtful review of Jesus’ use of power is absolutely mind-blowing. He possessed absolute power and he used it to glorify God by helping others. He famously overcame the temptation to use his power to serve himself. He is the only exception I know to Lord Acton’s oft repeated truism, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

His compassion moved him to use His power benevolently. Interestingly, even when it would have been good for people he never used his power coercively. Instead when asked He would heal, feed or deliver powerfully. Your faith in His compassionate love and power made and makes all the difference in the world.

Here’s the good news, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8, NLT)

Here’s the sobering news. God’s power can only be given to people whose hearts are pure! Jesus’ compassion welled up from His pure heart of sinlessness and selflessness that I wrote about yesterday.

I long to see the power of God restored to the followers of Jesus Christ. The power of God is the Good News about Christ, saving everyone who believes! The power is not in technology, organization, crowds or denomination. Those are all good, however the power is Christ in you the hope of glory!

Here is some more good news! God wants you to experience this power to enable you to compassionately serve others. Read this and then spend some time thinking and praying about it. “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT)

That is a prayer that you can count on God answering!

One more promise God has for pure hearted people. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)

From that promise I conclude that God does not want His people powerless, not one of us. God has not changed! Perhaps we need to consider the call to be a holy (pure) people consumed with God’s glory! Indeed then we will not be a powerless people.

Grace, Peace and Joy!