Righteous Power

One of the most misunderstood terms, not just in the Christian world but also in the secular world, is power. Some associate power with money. Others believe real power is defined by influence, the ability to affect the outcome of a given situation. The more power you have, the more you can affect the lives of those around you. In a spiritual sense, the question of using that power for good or evil has some substantive value.

When it comes to the power of prayer, faith, or the power of the Lord, this power becomes the central focus of many intense conversations. According to the Christian faith, God is omnipotent. The truth is that all religions of the world give all power to the God or Gods that human beings believe in. Christians believe El Shaddai can do anything. He doesn’t have the answer to all things, but He is the answer to all things.

It becomes clearer and clearer to me that power comes from truth. There is inherent power in the truth of who Jesus Christ was, who He is, and who He will always be. That truth brings peace of mind. That peace of mind brings about power. I’m not talking about some ideological rhetorical power one refers to in some romantic sense. I’m talking about withstanding the devil, standing up against evil, and walking in real-world power.

I’m always reminded when I read the bible that those who believed in and then acted upon that belief were, and to some extent, still being persecuted in such a way that their very existence is called into question. Can you imagine the power that exists when you define your existence as eternal, one with the Lord always was and always will be? That kind of power is all-powerful. In the very face of death, that kind of power allows you to confess an unwavering belief In God almighty. That kind of power was unavailable to Peter when he first asked about his relationship with Christ. We all know fear is what prompted the cock to crow, as Jesus predicted. The power that let the same Peter request crucifixion upside down is but a small example of divine power realized.

Have you ever wondered what gives people the will to do right, act right, and be right in the face of adversity, temptation, and, yes, even the threat of death? I guess I should ask more appropriately. Haven’t you ever wondered what makes the righteous persevere? What is it about righteousness that strikes fear in the unrighteous? Why is the happily married man or woman the preferred target of the sinful suitor? Again, power realized is power exercised in the name of truth, faith, and, regardless of how intangible it sounds, in the name of love. At that point, history tells us that real power becomes a threat and must be destroyed. Is anybody trying to kill your spirit? Is your righteousness under attack? If not, then maybe you ain’t got no power. If not, then maybe you aren’t at peace with God yet. If you were then, everyone around you would necessarily know that because you would automatically become a magnet for the righteous and a target for temptation. Forgive me if I now bring up the term arrogance. Arrogance merely acknowledges the internal power of faith. Whatever comes your way as a Christian is then met with the righteous indignation of one who knows the truth and has the power. Not today. I’m a child of God and don’t have time to play with you.

May God bless and keep you always.