Incomparably Great Power For Those Who Believe
Ephesians 1:18-21 (NIV) 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 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead that overcame every other power in the universe is available to us who believe. How many will believe?
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen
Matthew 22:1-14 (NRSV) Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Why did Jesus say “Many are called but few are chosen?” Wasn`t it the guests who chose whether they would go to the banquet or not? This doesn`t seem to make sense in English, but with a little examination of the original language, it makes perfect sense. Jacques More explains here and here why the word elect (here “chosen” Greek “eklectoi”) should not be in our English translation of the Bible. It means “choice” in the sense of being “the most excellent.”
Why would God call so many if we were not going to choose them? That`s not the idea here! The point is that God calls many. In fact, Jesus said he would draw all men to himself. God calls, but few respond with excellence.
God`s incomparably great power is for us who believe. Many are called, but few respond with excellence and venture deeply into the glorious possibilities of life with Christ. Will you see all that Jesus has made possible for you and respond with excellence? Will you feed yourself with testimonies and feed yourself with God’s word, meditating on it day and night? Will you make praise and thanksgiving a discipline in your life? Will you make Jesus Christ your obsession and your life? Will you rip open your heart to him and invite his Spirit to fill every nook and cranny of your being?
This is not about being a super-Christian, never failing. Don’t think for a moment that your weaknesses disqualify you. It is about continuing to turn your focus back to the Lord, again and again boldly coming to God`s throne of grace through Christ and receiving his grace, allowing him to turn your weakness into strength. Just keep opening your heart up completely to the Holy Spirit. Keep going back to that place in your heart where you have seen God’s glory before by recounting and remembering what he has done in your life. God loves you! Keep yourself in the awareness of that love. Fill your heart and mind with the truth of all Jesus has done for you. Step out in faith to minister healing to people and proclaim God’s word to others.
Look at those who came before you. Let their testimonies encourage you. They had the same weaknesses you do! But they chose to respond to God`s call in faith, and they didn`t give up!
It’s According To His Power At Work Within You!
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV) For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Do you want to see a great move of God? Do you want to see his power and his glory? So many people are waiting and hoping God will do something, but all of his power, all the power in heaven and earth, is available to you if you believe! Why wait? He is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine, but it is according to his power at work in you. Look internally, not externally. It`s not going to happen through God all of the sudden deciding to rend the heavens and come down. He already did that when Jesus came. It`s going to happen as you are strengthened with power through God`s spirit as Christ dwells in your heart through faith!
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Go to Heaven Now
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