OCTOBER 25

LIVING BY HIS POWER

“For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.” (1 Cor. 13:4)

While others focus attention upon self, various methods of self-improvement and final self-conquest, Christ alone laid down the principle, “He that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.” (Matt. 10:39).

Many are familiar with Luke 24:49, “Tarry ye… until ye be endued with power from on high.” The word “endued” meaning TO BE CLOTHED UPON. How we have desired to be clothed upon with power that we might DO exploits. Thoughts of great ministries flood our minds, to heal the sick, raise the dead, amaze the world with our ability to perform miracles, to do, do, do for the Lord. Then the Spirit begins to unfold the deeper truth that it is not in our “doing” but in our “BEING.” We can only be a manifestation of His life according as to how we lay down our own self-life. The ultimate witness is our STATE OF BEING, which is to be HIS LIFE lived through us.

From the human angle the cross looked like defeat, failure, a dismal end to a ministry of miracles. But it was the beginning of the greater and more abundant life. What appeared to be the “weakness of the cross” suddenly turns to be a strength, and we see that “the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor. 1”25). By His submission to death HE CONQUERED DEATH, as He did “by the grace of God taste death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9). He also “Himself took our infirmities (weaknesses).” (Matt. 8:17). Therefore all of our weaknesses now belong to Him, HE TOOK THEM, and now uses them for a purpose unto victory. “He weakened my strength in the way,” (Ps. 102:23), and then He infused me with His power and life, so that henceforth we might LIVE BY THE POWER OF GOD.

“God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty.” (1 Cor. 1:27). One with His Cross we are made weak, yet we shall also become one in His resurrection life and power. Praise God!

Ray Prinzing