We saw a couple of equations in the Bible, built on the word “as.” One says, “You will prosper as your soul prospers.” But the Bible contains other equations that do not carry that particular word, but focus on the word “according.” Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus is loaded with such formulas, one of which we consider here. It says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
Many of us may not realize that our topic for this post comes straight from the Bible. And yet, preachers regularly use it, combined with the next verse, as a closing blessing, that is, a doxology. That is because when we refer to this verse, we quote it only partially. We like to think that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. I can not think of anyone who does not enjoy receiving more than they ask for.
You come to someone for two slices of bread, and they give you four. Sweet. It is a picture that our church leaders love to plant in our heads as they lead us to pray. Sadly, they leave out the last part on “according to the power that works in you.” Even more unfortunate, such pastors are all over the place, raising church members who do not truly know God. In a previous post, we referred to their members as kindergarten adults.
What Is The Power That Works In You?
You see, every promise of God has a trigger, which church leaders sneakily leave out of their prayers. True, God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. But do you know why He would actually do so in your life? He will do it in proportion to the power that works in you. It is an equation.
I hate to be the one to say it, but it is the devil’s power that works in some churchgoers. Observe that not all churchgoers are Christians, but, even then, that is a bold statement. A few examples may suffice to support it. In Paul’s days, some “churchgoers” preached Christ out of envy and strife. Paul knew these people, in whom the devil’s power was very active, did so to add affliction to his chains. Paul would have liked to say to such people, “The power that works in you is of the devil.”
In more recent times, someone in church was clapping along with the choir, but muttering under their breath. I was close enough to them to hear the mutters. They claimed to be planning the wickedness they could devise to inflict the greatest hurt on somebody. At one point, they prayed that God should reveal such a plan. I do not mind saying that I thought, “The power that works in you is of satan.” We could go on and on, but it would be a waste. Even you, precious believer, can have flashes of anger, during which the power that works in you is not of God. That is all we shall say about that, ahem.
Your Salary Comes From Your Employer
If the power that works in a man is satanic, should he expect God’s promises to blossom in his life? The answer is clear when the question is so clear. But the number of believers who do not see the connection is amazing. They work under the devil and come to God for blessings. Who should pay your salary? Is it not the one for whom you work?
All we need to do is change employment and start working for a different management – Jesus. Some in the church to which we referred earlier worked for Jesus. Paul differentiated them from the workers of iniquity this way. “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains. But the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.”
The power that works in the latter group is of God. Once we accept Jesus into our lives and come under new management, the power that works in us changes. Then, and only then, can we expect the promises of God to manifest in our lives.
We Now Come To The Equation
If this were not an equation, there would be no church anywhere on earth. Every believer would be at the same level of faith, able to do what giants of the faith can do. Why would you go to a church meeting if you could command the dead to rise all by yourself? What would be the point in asking another believer to pray for you if God will do exceedingly abundantly for every believer?
We have tried to coat it by talking about corporate anointing, and granted, there is a biblical basis for that. The Bible says one shall chase 1, 000 but two shall put 10, 000 to flight (perhaps without needing to chase them). But two weak Christians may not be able to do much, which is why we tend to seek out men of God whom we deem more powerful than we are for help.
You sense that the anointing on their lives may be greater than what you have. It is the same point this verse is making. I come to you for help when I sense that God moves in your life according to the power that works in you. The beauty of that is that you and I can develop that power to a very high level. Fear God. That fear will propel us to obey Him, study His word, and have conversations (prayers) with Him. We are then on our way home.
Maranatha!
