The Extravagance Of His Work In Us

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10


Yesterday my friend Jan and I were talking. That can be a dangerous prospect. We are both spiritually "excitable." We were bemoaning a common woe that as Christians, as the Bride, we are often living below the the Power Line.

This morning I was in Ephesians and turned to Paul's encouragement to splice in to that line. I saw that the Greek term for our being strong is ἐνδυναμοῦσθε, pronounced (en-doo-nam-o'-o). I am no scholar of Greek but I can read Strong's and it says this strengthening we experience comes not from the exercise of our own ability or natural strength but it is God's sharing His mighty ability with us.

It is God saying, "I fill with power, strengthen, make strong."

HELPS Word-studies 1743 endynamóō (from 1722 /en "in," which intensifies 1412 /dynamóō, "sharing power-ability") – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered.

To impart ability. To give it to us. Strength flowing along the line of least resistance. God's own power-ability in our hands. His ability to work His will in our hands. The strength of pure, purposeful love at our fingertips. David understood this. I am praying it does not continue to elude us. To elude me.

Hear Paul speak in Ephesians 1:19-23 (Message)

15-19That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

This is what my prayer is for as I contemplate what Christ's Presence has brought to my life: oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Jan, are you dancing yet? Me too!

-Kat


Share a walk out on to the field with David as he takes the full measure of his God:

http://iamcallingshotgun.blogspot.com/2010/02/emek-haelah-valley-of-oak.html