That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Who's the strongest person you can think of? I'm always amazed at how strong my husband is. He takes me down with no effort and I usually have to trick him somehow in order to escape his grip (this is all done in fun, of course). I can think of some famous actors whose mighty muscles betray their strength. Professional wrestlers . . . I wouldn't want to make them mad. Human beings can make themselves relatively strong. They can build up their muscle strength to the point of no fear when walking down a dark alley at night. But, no matter how big and strong our muscles, we cannot and do not compare to God's strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25 says this: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." No matter how big and strong our muscles, we have no power to raise someone from the dead.
Jesus Christ died on a cross. He died. But He did not stay dead. God raised Him from the dead with His mighty power and strength. This divine power, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from death to life, is at work in our own lives. We, too, were dead in our sins. But now we live! (Eph. 2:1,4-5) This divine power is at work in us constantly changing us into something better than what we are right now. It is at work guiding us in His divine will for us (which is ultimately eternity with Him) in spite of ourselves. "...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Philippians 2:13, NIV
Once Jesus was raised from the dead, God seated Him at His right hand. No longer among us in human form, He was completely transformed from man to God, from scourged to exalted, from death to life. God exalted Him higher than anything or anyone. No matter what title we can come up with to give a person, Jesus Christ ranks higher. He rules over everything on earth and over everything in the heavens and beneath. He rules all! Only God has the power to exalt someone to such a position, and it's THAT same incomparably great power that is exerted in us every day of our lives as we live in Him. So, live in the strength of the Lord, my friends.
God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15b-16, NIV
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:4-6, NIV
In strength,
Kerry
