Power not Words

*I know this doesn't have much to do with a book, except of course, the Book, and this is supposed to be a blog of books, but I desire to have a ministry with you women of Advent, and daily we can encourage one another through this medium of the web. This article by T. M. Moore was a wonderful reminder that I needed this morning. Hope it encourages you as well.

Power, not words

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20, 21

If you’ve been paying attention to this week’s series on the Kingdom of God you will have noted a distinctive emphasis on the ways that Kingdom comes to light among and within us.

We have been insisting that the rule of King Jesus is advancing on earth, and has been advancing ever since He came among us, even though it may not appear that such could possibly be the case. Given the woes and sorrows of this present age, how can we think that Jesus is advancing His holy rule? But there is yet much of goodness, truth, joy, generosity, beauty, decency, honesty, justice, and love in this weary world, none of which would be possible – given the inveterate sinfulness of men – apart from an eternal presence and power at work within us. For those of us who have come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and King, our desire must be to seek more of this Kingdom’s presenceand power in our own lives, and through us, to the world where we have presence and influence.

We can never plumb the depths of the wells of power that Jesus is ready to pour out through us. Paul says there is more power of God’s Spirit to make us holy, fill us with peace and joy, and use us as witnesses for Jesus Christ than we could ever ask or think. Our problem is that we don’t think that’s so, and so we do not ask for such power to be at work within us.

Jesus assured us that God is willing to give His Spirit and Kingdom to all who ask for it – who seek it diligently through earnest, persistent, impassioned pleading with God in prayer and waiting on Him in obedience (Lk. 11:1-13). But because we do not really believe in the presence of God’s Kingdom or the ability of His Spirit to transform and use us as agents of grace, we do not seek the Kingdom as we should, do not experience it as we might, and do not express it as we could.

If there is a lack of evidence of the rule of King Jesus in our sad world, it is not the fault of the world; nor is it the fault of the Savior. Rather, it is our fault; the failing is ours, for we have not dared to believe it could be so, and we have not sought the Lord earnestly and persistently that we might know such power, experience such power, and show such power of transforming love to the world around us.

There is power, far more abundant power, available to everyone who believes in Jesus and longs to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. For that Kingdom is a real presence, here and now; it is not a matter of mere words, but of real power, power which can be ours, if only we will seek it as we have been commanded.


Start your own ViewPoint discussion group. This week’s series is available in a free downloadable format, suitable for personal or group study. Download the series, "Power Not Words."

For more information on this topic, get the book, The Kingdom of God, by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, from our online store. Or read the article, “Storming the Gates,” by Regis Nicoll.