Too many in Christ forfeit the opportunities for power in the lives. Here's what I mean. We need to learn how to draw off the relationship we have with God through the Lord Jesus. In times of stress and distress, if one doesn't learn how to draw from the things of God, they forfeit the power that is available. Our being in Christ should have a profound impact on us and change us!
When Jesus was before Pilate, the governor questioned Him who He was. At the same time, the chief priests and elders were accusing Him (Matt. 27:11-14). As Pilate continued his questioning, Jesus stood in silence without giving one answer to the charges. It amazed Pilate that Jesus could and would do such. It just wasn't 'normal' for someone to stand in silence. Why would Jesus do such? Because He was concerned about the will of God and drawing off the relationship He had with God! When we have difficulties, how easy is it for us to become disturbed and react wrongly? Difficulties can disturb our souls but it is our reaction that gets us into problems. We turn to the wrong source to soothe and solve the problem! The result: we forfeit the power of God in the relationship! The very power and help that was in Jesus as He stood in His trial is the very power that is offered to us!
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Rom. 8:11) What kind of power did it take to raise the dead Jesus? It took the Spirit of God and that same Spirit dwells in us in Christ. What does that say about the relationship we have? Where should we be turning and drawing from? "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." (Eph. 3:16) Where is God trying to work? In our inner man. The key is will God grant the strength to be released in us? It depends on your reaction and where you turn!
Take some time and read II Tim. 3:1-5. There you will see what prevents those in Christ from the power of God. It is found in these attitudes and desires. It is easy to have a semblance of godliness yet completely deny the power. Our lives turn to the wrong things, the wrong sources, to our inward self and self practices, especially when we hurt. That will rob one of the power of God. That will ruin the relationship. The peace of God which surpasses all comprehension that will guard the mind and heart (Phil. 4:7), that is the result and reaction of the relationship. God's peace settling in and guarding the mind and heart (the inner man finding strength)...what kind of relationship do we really have?
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