How is power a good gift from God? Power itself is a good thing—it's the ability to pursue something you value or to be influential. This ability can lie in a person's wisdom, in a skill or talent they're well known for, in a high position of authority they hold, in their persuasive words, in their wealth, or in their appearance. All of these things are not self-created, they're gifts given by God. We have our own free will to decide what we ought to do with the gifts God has blessed us with. However, He longs for us to use them for good to progress the Kingdom of the King.
Jesus is the only perfect model we have that shows us how power is used. The Jews thought the Messiah would come to defeat their enemies and rescue them from the people who oppressed them. They envisioned Him to be a politician of sorts—someone born of wealth, who was well educated, and persuasive. Well, that didn’t happen! In the gospels, Jesus used His God-given power to put himself last—from the beginning. Jesus was born in a manager and His earthly father was a carpenter. When He started His ministry He spent His time opening the eyes of the blind, healing the lame and the deaf, and casting out demons from people. He met every sinner where they were and shared with them His salvation.
He made himself weak, a willing sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. He suffered a great deal and died a gruesome death. What did Jesus show He worshipped through His actions? God. He used His power to fulfill God’s will. Jesus could have walked away from it all. He had the free will to do so. After all, Satan himself tempted Him to throw it away. How is the way we live any different? We are given certain attributes that God means us to use for His glory. Who are we to take those gifts, run away with them, and claim them as our own? “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). Every sin has its ripple effects, we see it every day. But if we see power through a biblical worldview we can contribute to the glory of the Kingdom of God instead of exalting ourselves above Him.
Note: In part I, I called this "social sin.” In part II, I updated this language to “the sin of idolatry” because this sin involves an individual’s self-exaltation over the masses. The “sin of idolatry” better describes this sin and clearly distinguishes it from “social justice” which is the belief that a group of people sin collectively against another. Sin is not communal, it is individually rooted.
RECAP
Part I touched on how power is given to us by God. It's a capability someone has to get what they want. However, our sinful nature, pride, & greed can corrupt our thoughts (mind) and emotions (heart), turning their attention inwardly (towards ourselves) instead of turning them to God.
The Greek word, "dunamis", translates as “power through God's ability." It means that our power source is God and that He is the one who strengthens us and equips us with the skills necessary to do good.
THEMATIC VERSE FOR POWER
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37)
ABUSING GOD’S GIFT CREATES PROBLEMS: WE CAN & CAN’T SEE
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. (Luke 8:17)
CURRENT ISSUES WITH KNOWN CONNECTIONS TO POWER EXPLOITATION
Abolition of Law enforcement
Abuse of political procedures & systems
Indoctrination
Monopolies
Media
Medical
Tech
Murder/suicide
Racism
Revocation of freedoms
Bear arms
Religion
Speech
Voting
Social ostracism
Terrorism
CURRENT ISSUES WITH CONCEALED CONNECTIONS TO POWER EXPLOITATION
Abortion
Abuse of geopolitical procedures & systems
Extortion via agendas
Climate change
Health mandates
Nuclear energy
Open borders
Trafficking
Universal healthcare
Universal income
Facism
Genocide
Magic & sorcery
Marxism, communism, socialism
Torture/crimes against humanity
THE SECULAR WORLDVIEW
Power is defined by the world
Power is given by a populace via admiration, success, popularity, status, etc.
Power is to be used to fix problems
Power requires money or influence
Power demands one to make tough choices and sacrifices sometimes at the expense of others
The way power is wielded or its result must be acceptable to the populace
Any praise a person receives is rightfully theirs
The secular worldview of power must be rebuked in love through word & action in humbleness & servitude.
THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Power is a gift and blessing from God
Power is given when a person surrenders their own fraudulent power
Power is to be used to serve others, no string attached
Power requires faith, reliance, and sustenance from God
Power demands one to put themselves last, be content in lowliness and have humbleness in sacrificial servanthood
The way power is wielded and its result must be glorifying to God
Any praise a person receives is to be credited to God
The biblical worldview of power must be defended by the Church and followers of Christ.
SACRIFICIAL SERVANTHOOD PLEASES GOD
Those who display contentment in weakness are freed from the cravings of power. This focus & centrality on God allows us to live in service of others—fulfilling the will of God.
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength. Ephesians 1:18-19
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
Dear Lord,
Whoever has ears let them hear what Your Spirit has to say.
Amen.
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Sources: Desiring God, Got Questions
How is power a good gift from God? Power itself is a good thing—it's the ability to pursue something you value or to be influential. This ability can lie in a person's wisdom, in a skill or talent they're well known for, in a high position of authority they hold, in their persuasive words, in their wealth, or in their appearance. All of these things are not self-created, they're gifts given by God. We have our own free will to decide what we ought to do with the gifts God has blessed us with. However, He longs for us to use them for good to progress the Kingdom of the King.
Jesus is the only perfect model we have that shows us how power is used. The Jews thought the Messiah would come to defeat their enemies and rescue them from the people who oppressed them. They envisioned Him to be a politician of sorts—someone born of wealth, who was well educated, and persuasive. Well, that didn’t happen! In the gospels, Jesus used His God-given power to put himself last—from the beginning. Jesus was born in a manager and His earthly father was a carpenter. When He started His ministry He spent His time opening the eyes of the blind, healing the lame and the deaf, and casting out demons from people. He met every sinner where they were and shared with them His salvation.
He made himself weak, a willing sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. He suffered a great deal and died a gruesome death. What did Jesus show He worshipped through His actions? God. He used His power to fulfill God’s will. Jesus could have walked away from it all. He had the free will to do so. After all, Satan himself tempted Him to throw it away. How is the way we live any different? We are given certain attributes that God means us to use for His glory. Who are we to take those gifts, run away with them, and claim them as our own? “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). Every sin has its ripple effects, we see it every day. But if we see power through a biblical worldview we can contribute to the glory of the Kingdom of God instead of exalting ourselves above Him.
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