06/16/2022
And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
Abraham Lincoln
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes... Romans 1:16
In the Book of Job there is much talk about the nature of God by Job and his friends. Finally God steps in and asks Job “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4) In a stinging rebuff, God exposes their lack of knowledge and understanding.
Like Job and his friends, many today want to speculate about and even emasculate the character and essence of the God of creation. Although, an honest reading of Scripture leads one to conclude that He is a supernatural, holy God who is beyond our ability to fully comprehend Him and His nature. The Scriptures reveal Him as anything but weak and indifferent to the affairs of man and His creation. His very essence as creator, sustainer, law giver, redeemer, and the eternally existent One precludes Him to be a God of supreme power who transcends the very laws of the universe He created.
The power of God was put on display through the work of His Son Jesus Christ for the loving benefit of all mankind. That power was, is and still is to be revealed in the work of Christ as Creator (Colossians 1:15-17), the Redeemer (Titus 2:11-14) and the soon coming Judge and King who will reign upon the Earth (Revelation 19:11-16).
At the death of Christ on the cross, God destroyed the grasp and demand of sin that held mankind in bondage since the sin of Adam. Jesus Christ who knew no sin became sin for humanity that we should no longer be slaves to sin. To those who reject Jesus Christ, the message of the cross is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-19). But to those who trust Him, we are God’s power put on full display as His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. 1 Corinthians 1:18-19
At the Resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame death by the power of God through the Holy Spirit so death could no longer hold man in its clutches. To everyone who believes in Jesus Christ this same power is appropriated to them (Ephesians 1:19-21). It is a grand release from the prison of the fear of death into a freedom to walk with the assurance of eternal life. And again, this same spectacular demonstration of God’s power will be on display as He raises the dead and snatches the living belonging to Christ in a heavenly rapture of the Church.
the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:19-21
The rapture of the Church will ignite a seven year period of wrath upon the unbelieving world. At that time, God will set His power on display again through His Son, Jesus Christ, to judge the unbelieving, rebellious nations and vanquish Satan and his hold over the world.
One of the most magnificent and undeniable demonstrations of God’s power is the ability of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change a life! It is the radical renewal and transformation of the lives of those who are born again that solidifies the evidence and veracity of the work of Christ. It is in this salvation that the law of sin and death are overcome for all who call on Him reconciling God and man where all other means fall short. Not only does the power of God bring salvation but it also keeps those who believe through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).
The power of the true and living God is active and on display in the world everyday. His attributes are revealed to us in His Scriptures, His creation and the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. This same power is made manifest in all who will simply believe and call upon the name of Jesus Christ.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,........ (Romans 1:20).
True Vine Talk 