A DIFFERENT KIND

WHAT IS POWER?

What are some of the typical descriptions we find when discussion power?

How do we define power?

Typically, it seems that our understanding of power is based on one’s ability to influence or impact the world around them.

Another way that I have thought about power is one’s ability to express their freedom. The more power you have, the more you are able to do whatever it is you want to do. The less power you have, the less freedoms are afforded to you.

I am not talking about freedoms in any constitutional sense but in terms of the individual sense. Freedom in the way it is described in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.

The world we live in usually causes us to view power in seven different ways.

Legitimate/Titular Power

This power is one that is found in positions of authority where ones title or status grants them the privilege of influential power over those that are appointed underneath. The power of being the chief decision maker on behalf and for the course of other people.

Coercive Power

Holding influence over others through power expressed through the fear of consequences. The power of leveraging potential consequences to enact obedience in others.

Expert Power

Power that is inherited through insight one gains in the experience, knowledge, and study of a specific topic. The power of being the most informed regarding decision making in specific areas.

Informational Power

Influence of exclusive information that is not accessible to the majority of people. The power of having advantageous information that is not commonly known.

Power of Reward

The power of influence that comes with the ability to reward those who are obedient to direction.

Power of Connection

The power of connection is essentially the power of influence by proxy. You know someone with power and have them leverage that power on your behalf. The power of knowing someone in higher authority, or juxtaposed authority to then enact their power for someone else’s benefit. Quid pro quo.

Referent Power

The power of influence based on the quality of relationship with those one is influencing. Think of close friends and family and how the nature of those relationships have great influence over the decision you make.

DIFFERENT KIND OF POWER

There are aspects of most of these types of power within the character of God that we can find in Scripture, with the exception of the power of connection.

Our Father is the King of all creation with authority matched by none and there is matchless power in His sovereignty.

God also has power in His judgement and the Word tells us that we ought have reverence in the presence of the Almighty.

God is also omniscient and by which He carries the power of information but also the power of expertise.

There is also power in the blessings of spiritual fruitfulness that come with the obedient heart unto God our Sustainer.

And there is also power in the relationship that God has with His people.

But there is a different kind of power altogether that Jesus modeled in his life on earth. That is the power that comes with humility and servanthood.

The power that humility brings is one of transcendence and enlightenment. This is the power of freedom from self, and from the influence of others. This power opens our eyes to reality that we do not operate by the same rules as the world around us but we are not even playing the same game.

We are made holy, set apart for God’s good pleasure. It is walking in the humility of this purpose that we are called do that gives us the true power and freedom that comes from living a life intended for God’s purpose.

DIFFERENT KIND OF WAR

Jesus modeled this different kind of power because he knew that we were fighting a different kind of war.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The wars that we wage are against sin, carnal desires, and the spiritual world around us. We are called to live in a different plane of existence than the one where our main adversaries are human. Our wars exist on the plane where sin is the influence that brings out the worst in humanity.

It is walking in the humility of Christlikeness, that gives us the power to walk in freedom from a war that has already been won on the cross.

Romans 6:6 ESV

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

The power of humility in servanthood is in knowing that our freedom has already been determined through the sacrifice of Christ and the wars that we fight are from a position of victory and not uncertainty.

DIFFERENT KIND OF WEAPONS

Because we know that we fight a different kind of war, we also know that we fight using different weapons.

The Weapons We Fight With

Ephesians 6:13–19 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

The Weapons Used Against Us

What are the weapons that will be used against us?

Pride

Self interest

DIFFERENT KIND OF ACTION

The more we read this book, the more I understand that there are direct connections between the different aspects of Jesus’ genius.

It is humility that leads to the surrender of self through servanthood that gives us power of uncompromised freedom but it also initiates empathy which allows us to genuinely love and care for our neighbor.

All of this power we are called to walk in is founded in Christ and is realized in us through the transformation of our mind and heart by way of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Where there is humility there can be no pride.

Where there is generosity, there can be no greed.

Where there is servanthood, there can be no obligation.