The Power of GOD: Activating it

Ephesians 3:14–17 NASB95

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

With respect to the Power of GOD, so far we have seen the extreme importance of Acknowledging God’s power. For if that doesn’t happen, one will constantly believe he or she can rely on human power. We have also seen the importance of Accessing God’s Power. That is understanding where his power is made available for us. Building on those concepts, it is also crucial to understand how to Activate God’s Power in our lives. By activate, I mean how does it become operative in our lives.

Paul’s words in verse 14 pick up where he left off in verse 1, where he first mentions “For this reason”, or “because of these things”. His intent is to build from a previous statement in ch 2, which he affirms that Gentiles are equally the children of GOD as Jews are, and are in the same house of GOD, through the blood and body of Jesus Christ. He argues that in Christ, peace has been established for both groups, with each other and with GOD. And in Christ, all have the same access to GOD, and all are a temple and dwelling place for GOD through the Spirit. But then he breaks off into a parenthetical statement, which is a “by the way” phrase. In summary, he explains his deep connection to Gentiles due to God’s grace for his ministry to Gentiles, and illuminating God’s secret that they would be equal heirs in Christ’s body, so that every spiritual authority would know God’s wise plan through the body of Christ. And through Christ, all in Christ have confident access to the Father.

Through prayer

Now that those truths have been confirmed, he continues his original thought, and says “for this reason”. What do you want do and say now because of those things Paul? He says “I bow my knees to the Father”. Bowing his knees symbolizes his submission and reverence toward the Father. Then he qualifies which Father he’s referring to by acknowledging that every being that exists, exists because of the Father. Why the Father? Because he is the superior which he has access to. Thus, when Paul determines to bow his knees, he is utilizing the access that he has. Why? It is for the sake of “You Gentiles” which he expresses in verse 1. Thus, it is an intercessory prayer on their behalf.

Application: One important step to God’s power becoming operative or activated in our lives is calling on him. Considering the love, mercy, grace and wisdom he has shown to make us alive although we were dead in sins, make us his children although we were enemies, and admit us into his presence although we had distanced ourselves through sin, it should motivate us to confidently approach him on a daily basis. But when we do, how much do we respect his presence? Furthermore, it is an appeal to our Father of the house, from whom we all exist!!

Prayer is vital indeed, but it’s what Paul bows for that I want to further emphasize for activation. Notice he says “that He would grant you”, which begins the content of what he is appealing to the father “FOR”, and that is for the Father to intentionally transfer something to them (which demonstrates it is intercessory). And it is not aligned with the limits of human nature, rather the abundant and limitless resources the Father has due to his divinely powerful and majestic being!!

Through Spirit contact

Well what do you want the Father to intentionally transfer to these Gentiles? Strength. Make them strong with powerful ability. Why would Paul ask for this? Because he just told them not to be discouraged by his sufferings for Gentiles. But he realizes that takes strength! Well Paul how do you want them to get strength? Through the Father’s Spirit contacting their inner being.

Illustration: Every electrical plug has metal prongs at the end of it. The reason is because inside the receptacle outlet on the wall, although we don’t typically see it due to the plate, the slots have metal contacts inside. Why? Because in order for power to flow, both the prong and contact must be metal, of the same material.

Application: Likewise, for us to be strengthened with God’s power, His spirit must make contact with our spirit. That means the Spirit aims to strengthen the hidden me. My thoughts, emotions, desires, and determination. It’s not that outward doesn’t have any importance whatsoever, and that GOD can’t influence our bodies. But truly activating God’s power in us is about our inner person. That should be our prayer! That’s how we plug in!!

Through Christ’s occupancy

To expound on that request, Paul asks that the Father give them something else, which aligns with the first. Christ has an abiding occupancy. Where does he occupy? The heart, which is used to describe the center of the inner being. How Paul? Through trusting in him!! But I thought Christ was already in them, and they in him. Yes, but some don’t have Christ at the core of their existence! And wherever Christ is, he rules with power!!

Application: Some of us are in Christ, but we don’t always have Christ at the center of our being. “I woke up this morning with my mind...” That only happens by the process of faith growing and growing.

Concluding Illustration: In a typical house electrical circuit, in order for their to be power, electrical current must be cyclical. Meaning, there’s current traveling to the source, and it’s traveling from the source. If either connection is broken, there is no flow.

We must pray! That’s our signal to the source. We must have faith! That’s how we receive the power flow!! For the inner man. Jesus says in Rev 3:20, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door (that’s faith), I’ll come in and dine with him, and he with me!!!