Power!

Power!

John 1:12 AMPC

[12] But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.

John introduces us to the One called the Word of God. It is quite enlightening to see how Jesus is presented in this way. All that we see today in creation when made by and for Him, and we know the power that was made manifest as God spoke creation into existence. God said: "Let there be....", and it was so. In all instances, there was nothing: no power, authority or foundation that could resist the power behind the spoken Word of God, or prevent His command from coming to pass. The Word is presented as being with God in the beginning, and also being God too. That is the introduction that all of us must make personal, if we are to fulfil the purpose of God for our lives. God does not need my permission to be God; He is God, regardless of what people say or do. This power is the focus of today's extract, and we will do well to consider how God wants me to respond to Him.

Reflect on all that God has done for you on a personal level. Consider His mighty works in your family, work, business and life generally. Even for those who have not submitted their lives to Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour, they still enjoy God's mercy and love on some levels. God who made all men loves us all, and He wants us to come to Him, but as we know, He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He wants me to love Him with all my heart and seek Him out based on an understanding of who He is, and what He can do for me. There are some people that will resist Him to the end of their natural human lives, yet, for the sake of the one or two people who would submit to Him, the death of Jesus on the cross is not in vain. Even if only one person was left on earth who needed salvation, Jesus would still have died. That is love, but a love that also comes with responsibility. 

His arms are stretched out to receive all who come, and the promise is power to become what we could never become on our own, no matter how much we could pay for it. What is on offer is a change of nature, a change of inner content, a change of direction, and a change of eternal destination. If men could pay for it, not many could afford it. If men had to earn it, several people would be cut off the supply. It is an amazing thing that all God requires from me is to receive and welcome Him. No money to spend, no vaults to empty; just a simple opening up of my heart to Him, to come in and be Lord and Master of all I am. I receive power to become a child of God, to be known as His own, sealed by the blood, inhabited by His Spirit, and destined for eternity with Him. What can the world give that can match or surpass this? What can a temporal world give me in exchange for an eternity without end? The offer is still on; God waits for my response. What is it going to be? God's time of favour is here.