The Spirit of Power
TEXT: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
The final verse of In Christ Alone by Stewart Townsend strengthens the hope and resolve of the Christian:
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
Dr. Joel Biermann, a professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, has written, “When I wake up in the morning I have nothing to do. Christ has done it all for me.” These are words that liberate us. There is nothing to do in our standing before God. Christ has won the forgiveness of sins for us! All that we do now is to give thanks for what He has done for us. We are free from guilt! We are free to live in joy! It’s as simple as that.
However, the devil, the world, and our flesh have not yet completed their insidious work. These three conspire against us to make us doubt God, and doubt what God wants to do through us.
The Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written sometime around the year 68 A.D. It is believed to be the last of the Pauline epistles. In it Paul gives wisdom and encouraging words to his son in the faith, Timothy, reminding him to stand firm in the faith and the sound teaching he has received. It is believed to have been written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, where Church tradition tells us the apostle would later be executed.
Can you think of a time you felt timid? Can you think of a time you felt afraid?
Instead of standing in the power of Christ, as the above hymn verse suggests, sometimes we feel like shutting up and sitting down. Sometimes Christians feel they cannot witness to their faith because the devil accuses them, convincing them their witness is a sham. Some sin or sins make us feel unworthy to share Christ. Should that stop us? What is the solution to this hesitancy?
Think about Peter? Did he have sin that could have discouraged him from witnessing (see Matthew 27:69-75)?
In spite of his sin, did Peter testify to his faith in Christ (see Acts 2:14)?
Can you think of other people in the Scriptures who were bold witnesses for Christ in spite of their sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings?
Do you know people today who, having received forgiveness for their sins, freely speak of the joy they have in this forgiveness?
Here are some Bible passages that speak of the power of God:
Acts 1:8
Matthew 28:18-20
Romans 10:16
Isaiah 55:11
Can you think of more passages that describe the power of God in the life of the Christian?
As we look to the past, the redeemed children of God do not carry guilt for their innumerable sins and failures. Christ has paid the penalty for our sins by the sacrifice of His life on the cross. As we look forward we have no fear, because “God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28b). Therefore, we need not be afraid; we are in the love of God through Christ. With a clean slate and a bright future, the words of St. Paul ring in our ears that we have a “spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” God has something for us to do and He gives us the power to accomplish it.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we praise You for a boundless love that has taken away our sins through the work of Your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Thank you! Now may Your Spirit fill us with all joy and power, so that we overcome our fears and timidity to be faithful, bold, and true disciples in Your Kingdom. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The final verse of In Christ Alone by Stewart Townsend strengthens the hope and resolve of the Christian:
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
Dr. Joel Biermann, a professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, has written, “When I wake up in the morning I have nothing to do. Christ has done it all for me.” These are words that liberate us. There is nothing to do in our standing before God. Christ has won the forgiveness of sins for us! All that we do now is to give thanks for what He has done for us. We are free from guilt! We are free to live in joy! It’s as simple as that.
However, the devil, the world, and our flesh have not yet completed their insidious work. These three conspire against us to make us doubt God, and doubt what God wants to do through us.
The Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written sometime around the year 68 A.D. It is believed to be the last of the Pauline epistles. In it Paul gives wisdom and encouraging words to his son in the faith, Timothy, reminding him to stand firm in the faith and the sound teaching he has received. It is believed to have been written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, where Church tradition tells us the apostle would later be executed.
Can you think of a time you felt timid? Can you think of a time you felt afraid?
Instead of standing in the power of Christ, as the above hymn verse suggests, sometimes we feel like shutting up and sitting down. Sometimes Christians feel they cannot witness to their faith because the devil accuses them, convincing them their witness is a sham. Some sin or sins make us feel unworthy to share Christ. Should that stop us? What is the solution to this hesitancy?
Think about Peter? Did he have sin that could have discouraged him from witnessing (see Matthew 27:69-75)?
In spite of his sin, did Peter testify to his faith in Christ (see Acts 2:14)?
Can you think of other people in the Scriptures who were bold witnesses for Christ in spite of their sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings?
Do you know people today who, having received forgiveness for their sins, freely speak of the joy they have in this forgiveness?
Here are some Bible passages that speak of the power of God:
Acts 1:8
Matthew 28:18-20
Romans 10:16
Isaiah 55:11
Can you think of more passages that describe the power of God in the life of the Christian?
As we look to the past, the redeemed children of God do not carry guilt for their innumerable sins and failures. Christ has paid the penalty for our sins by the sacrifice of His life on the cross. As we look forward we have no fear, because “God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28b). Therefore, we need not be afraid; we are in the love of God through Christ. With a clean slate and a bright future, the words of St. Paul ring in our ears that we have a “spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” God has something for us to do and He gives us the power to accomplish it.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we praise You for a boundless love that has taken away our sins through the work of Your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Thank you! Now may Your Spirit fill us with all joy and power, so that we overcome our fears and timidity to be faithful, bold, and true disciples in Your Kingdom. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.