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Single Minded

by Michelle Brinson

Power

Date Posted: November 30, 2005

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB

Do you ever feel weak? I do. I'd like to believe I'm a strong person… and sometimes I am… but there are times when I am definitely weak.

I'm single. I live alone. I'm used to doing things on my own. It's not always by choice - most of the time I do things myself out of necessity. There's no one else around to help. I've grown accustom to figuring out how to manage without asking for help. I hate to bother other people. I don't want to intrude or inconvenience them. Sadly, this has become somewhat of a spirit of pride.

Recently, I realized there are just some things I can't do on my own. I've been painting my bedroom and in the process I had to take down a very large mirror that hung over my dresser. Recently, I went to re-hang the mirror and realized I could not do it on my own. It was too heavy. It was then I realized my weakness. Not only did I lack the strength to hang the mirror, but even on my own, I lacked the power.

I was extremely frustrated. I wanted to hang the mirror and I wanted to hang it right then. I didn't want to ask anyone for help. I didn't want to wait. I wanted to do it and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't.

Sometimes I'm the same way when it comes to living my life as a child of God. I don't want to bother Him. I don't want to be an inconvenience to Him. I want to be able to do things on my own and on my timetable – not His. I'm ashamed at how prideful I can be.

Honestly, apart from God… I can do nothing…apart from God… I am nothing. I am nothing on my own. It's the power of Christ in me that makes me strong.

The power of God, demonstrated most fully in the cross of Jesus Christ, should be impressive to us. After all, hasn't mankind always been impressed with power? The message of the world is that power is good and weakness is bad. Power is proof that you are a winner while weakness is proof you are a loser. The one with the power calls the shots and, in essence, determines that the outcome of things most important to him or her will ultimately end in their favor.

We have a rather distorted view of power, don't we? Some would say relying on God is a sign of weakness. In fact, I've heard Him referred to as a "crutch."

But let me tell you what real power looks like.

Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross. A Roman guard stabbed Jesus on the cross to make sure He was dead. Jesus was wrapped in 20 pounds of cloth and spices and placed in a tomb. A stone weighing around 1 ton was placed in front of the tomb. A government seal was placed on the tomb making it a crime to tamper with it. A group of 5 to 20 centurions were assigned to guard the tomb and prevent political unrest. Non-biblical archeology suggests that these centurions would face execution if they left their post. Jesus remained dead in this tomb for three days.

Then something powerful happened.

A one ton stone was tossed away from opening like a pebble. A three day old dead man came to life. The resurrected Jesus was not encumbered by the burial wrapping, but folded it in the cave. Something so awesome and frightening made mighty Roman warriors run away like scared mice, risking penalties and possibly death.

God raised Jesus from the dead! Now that's what I call power!

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Colossians 2:9-15 NASB

Notice what God has already accomplished for you through Christ through the cross. Through faith in His work, not your works, you have participated in the working of God. In demonstrating His power through the cross you were part of the demonstration. You were nailed to the tree, buried, and then raised up with Him as a new creation alive in Christ!

Do you want to "see" the greatest of all power that has ever been displayed? Do you want to "know" the power of God that shows all other "power" to be power-less? Then look no further than Paul's letters because in them is revealed to us the word of the cross. In them is unveiled the glorious details of the greatest act of power that has ever or will ever be demonstrated and witnessed.

Who alone has the power to reconcile the world unto Himself, not counting their trespasses against them (2 Corinthians 5:19)? Who alone has the power to be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26)? Who alone has the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:7)? Who alone has the power to reckon an ungodly man righteous apart from works (Romans 4:5)? And, who alone has the power to raise the dead to new life and then seat them in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-6)? We have all these spiritual blessings and more through the unfathomable power of the cross of Jesus Christ.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:18-21 NASB

Want to see some real power? Then look no further than the cross of Jesus Christ. As believers in Christ, you and I have access to the God of the Universe - the God who raised Jesus from the dead and seated us with Him. Now that's power!

and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:6 NASB

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Biography Information:

Michelle Sanders Brinson makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Andrey, their son Jadon and their dog Rudy.

Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.

Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.

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