God bless you in the unparalleled name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34).
The apostle Paul was among the best-educated men of his day. He was a Jew with a great pedigree and was part of an elite group within Judaism. He was multilingual, held coveted Roman citizenship by birth and was known for his zeal. Yet his early advantaged life, his vast natural knowledge, and his high social and religious standing meant very little to him. He counted them but dung (Philippians 3:4-8).
What did matter to him, was knowing Christ in a fuller and richer way. His desire was to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. If Paul counted all the privilege of his birth, education and experience as dung there must have been something else very important He wanted instead.
O, that my desire to discover the benefits of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ matched Paul’s. Since this was so important to Paul it should be as important to me. It’s something I realize I need to go after, to press into. Like Paul, I need an unconditional dedication to Christ. Paul was totally committed and had burned his bridges behind him. Everything that was gain to him, he counted as loss. He had learned an important lesson –– nothing is as important as Christ.
After the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, he began to teach the principles of the Kingdom of God and openly demonstrate its power. When it descended it came in the likeness of a dove — gentle, beautiful, and elegant. Once Jesus received it, his ministry began to unfold in all its power. Holy spirit also dwells in us. It empowers us and unites us with God’s supernatural supply and ability.
One exciting Old Testament example of the difference having the spirit makes is when Samuel told Saul what to expect when the Spirit came upon him.
I Samuel 10:6-7, 9:
And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. . . 9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
Something dynamic happened that day. Saul became another man just as Samuel had prophesied; his heart was changed! He was empowered to do as occasion served him. We also have been made new creatures in Christ, old things have passed away and all things have become new (II Corinthians 5:17).
The spirit of the Lord also moved mightily in Samson’s life (Judges 14:6 & 16:14). Certainly, if the Holy Spirit could move Samson, it can move us as well! Physically, Samson was no different than any other man in Israel, but he was able to surpass natural limitations because he applied supernatural powers. When he needed the power of God, the Spirit came upon him to provide it. He had an ample supply from God that would make him more than equal to any demand.
If Old Testament believers could walk in such power, how about God’s children today. What we have far exceeds anything available to them. God wrought new, amazing, wonderworking power never before available when He raised Christ from the dead, and it fills us all.
Ephesians 1:20-23:
Which [his mighty power v 19] he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
God’s will for us is daily victory and blessing. It’s ours because of the power He wrought when He raised Jesus from the dead. Let’s look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith and desire to know him better. Enjoy your day with your eyes set on him, walking in the power of his resurrection.