Power For Living

Ludwig Nommensen traveled to begin mission work with a tribe in southeast Asia. The village chief welcomed Ludwig and said, "You have 2 years to learn our customs and convince us you have a message worth hearing." After 2 years, the tribal leader asked the missionary how Christianity differs from the moral rules and traditions of the tribe. "We already know what is right," the chief explained. "We too have laws that say we must not steal, or take our neighbor's wives, or tell lies."

The missionary replied, "That's true. But my God supplies the power needed to keep those laws." This startled the chief. "Can you really teach my people to live better?"
"No, I can't," responded Ludwig. "But if they receive Jesus Christ, God will give them the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit who will give them access to the strength they need to do what is right."

The chief invited him to stay another 6 months, during which Ludwig preached the gospel and taught villagers how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of Christians. "You can stay as long as you want," the chief finally announced. "Your God is better than ours, for your God walks with men and gives them strength to do the things He requires." They had structure, but no power to maintain it. And that is the way we are apart from the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.

Or think about it this way, a house may be beautifully constructed, with lights, appliances, and everything necessary for living—but without electricity, none of it functions as intended. The wiring connects the house to a power source outside itself. The power doesn't originate in the house; it comes from the power plant.

The Christian life isn't merely about having the right structure, rules, habits, or religious activities. The Holy Spirit is God's power dwelling within the believer. We don't manufacture the power to live the Christian life; we receive it from the One who lives within us. The Bible says, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) You see, Christianity isn't simply about trying harder; it's about Someone greater living inside you.

Now, the power you need can’t be purchased. In Acts 8 the story is told of a man name Simon Magnus who was amazed at the power of God operating in the lives of the apostles and sought to buy the power for himself. “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!’”
(Acts 8:18–20)

Here is the good news, while the power of the Holy Spirit can’t be purchased, it can be received! It is a gift that comes when you put your faith and trust in Jesus alone as your Savior. “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:21–22) Do you want power for living? Then allow the Spirit of God dwelling in you to be Lord over you! And if you do not know Christ, start there first.  And remember God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray


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