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There Is Power


"Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the strength of his might."1

First we note finally, from now on, henceforth which says you have been established, now be empowered. This word for empowered, is endunamoó, (from en "in," and dynamóō, "sharing power-ability") properly, to impart ability(make able); empowered. This word for strength is kratos, from a root meaning "to perfect, complete." So be perfected, completed in strength from the might of the power within.  Such speaks of inward transformation, of salvation working its way out. One doesn't put on the armor of God in spoiled clothes nor does he naked. Before one can walk in power, before one puts on armor one must put on new garments. Now that you are established, Finally be empowered...

"I pray that out of the riches of His glory, 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 grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."3

First we must be established. By Grace through faith... We are given a Spirit of Adoption, and spiritual blessings and wisdom from heavenly places, we are made alive in Christ, one with Him, a temple of God. We become a administrator of the gospel of grace, grounded in love, united in body, baptized, united with him in death, we put off the old man, nail it to the cross, and then we are United in life, raised with Him, we put on the new man, new garments. In newness of life, we become imitators of God, children of light, salt, no longer slaves but sons and daughters of the most high King. Finally (having been born from above and having put on new garments) be empowered in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

"Indeed, God has not given us a spirit of timidity but power and love and a sound mind."1 This word for timidity, deilía, speaks to cowardice, timidity, fearfulness, it is derived from deidō, "fear-driven." It is believed this word is derived from a city of Galatia, Derbe, which must have been a city of fearful people, or maybe it was because Paul the day after being stoned and left for dead went to the city of Derbe with power and proclaimed the gospel and discipled many.3 Of course in Derbe they would have not received a Spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

"All things I can do through him who gives me strength."4

This word for "I can do" is (from ischus, "strength, power") properly, embodied strength that "gets into the fray" (action), i.e. engaging the resistance. What is the resistance but the flesh and the devil and his worldly realm. Be careful though as we can learn to stand in our own strength, we can become positive thinkers, create good habits, memorize many scriptures, etc... without being strengthened from within. Like the Pharisee who cleaned the outside of the cup but not the inside. Another translation of this verse is  "All things I am able, through the one sharing power with me."

"All things are lawful to me but not all things profit me, all things are lawful but I will not be mastered by anything."5

This word for mastered, exousiazó, eksousía (from ek, "out from," and eimí, "I exist, to be, being as a right or privilege") – properly authority, conferred power; delegated empowerment. I am adopted, given birth rights, sealed by the Spirit of God, power within to master or rule over the flesh and the devil and his schemes. This word mastered is derived from exesti, "lawful" All things are lawful, but none will master me. Why? because I exercise (wield) power (authority). I am under the authority of Christ and I wield such power. All things are lawful, but I am empowered to master all things. Not by following rules and regulations nor by isolation, but by the power of God within me.

"You are the salt of the earth however if you the salt become tasteless, how can you become tasty again? for no one, is it potent, but to be cast out trampled upon by men."6 This word for "potent" is also from ischus, "strength, power." If the body of Christ losses its potency, its strength and power, then it is acceptable for it to be cast out. So He will return because his people are no longer potent, no longer tasty. Surely the Kingdom is lacking and would be lacking potency for him to return. Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!

"Having a form of godliness but power yourselves denying, also these shun."8

These claim to be wise, but alter the glory of the incorruptible God into a thing made of an image like corruptible man, flying and four footed and moving things. God gave men dominion over these; fear and dread of you shall be on every beast, bird of the air, everything on the earth that moves and the fishes of the seas.9 They took dominion over the things of God, and made them into a mirror-like representation.What does this mean? one could easily think of images or idols of animals. 

"An image like corruptible man" This word for image is eikón, from eíkō, "be like" – properly, "mirror-like representation," referring to what is very close in resemblance.10 Surely a people worshiping images of animals would not be a mirror-like representation?  Surely a church living in immorality would not have a form of godliness, this would not be a "mirror-like representation." But one that lives to a justification by works of righteousness and has potency this would be a "mirror-like representation," such would be a "form of godliness." They took dominion over what was God's and made it into a form of godliness.

"Having been born not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the Word living of God and abiding."8

The new covenant is one in which the blood of Christ seals its papers, by death the will, the promise of inheritance is authorized. And we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, a Spirit of Adoption we receive as a guarantee of this inheritance,whereby we cry Abba Father! Now, if we exchange such justification in Christ for the old covenant, a justification by works of the Law, then have we not exchanged truth for a form of godliness? it is cleverly deceptive. If we exchange justification in Christ for justification in works of the Law, as Paul writes, we would sever ourselves from Christ, fall from Grace. Whatever the case, those who have a form of godliness have no power, they are void of the Spirit, so like the Pharisee they live to external rules and regulations as works of righteousness, a "mirror-like representation."

"And such were some of you, except you were washed, except you were sanctified except you were justified in the name of the Lord of us Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of the God of us."7

Flesh and Blood, we must partake of Christ. In the name of Jesus, the Word of God, be planted and be perfected in strength in the power of His Might, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. This Spirit lives within each child of God, together with Christ we are empowered with a double edge sword of Spirit and Truth. With such we have potency, to master all things, to tear down strongholds and lofty images of God made in the likeness of man. The Church is to be salt, potent men and women, who are empowered not by the letter of the Law but by the new Living way of the Spirit. Such is Freedom and in such there is Power. "Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the strength of his might."

There Is Power

"I will return if you have no potency"

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