What does the Bible say about how much power Christians possess?

The power of God is to us-ward who believe. Two things are taught us here. First, that this power is in present operation, as well as in readiness to be signalized at the coming day of the redemption of our bodies; and, secondly, that it is to be known and realized in proportion to our faith. There is a day at hand when the mighty power of the Saviour will subdue all things unto Himself. But, in the meanwhile, the self-same power now works by the Spirit in the hearts of those who walk by faith, and it is by means of truth that this effective energy proceeds. The word of God is quick and powerful. Doctrine alone is weak; when mixed with faith, it is the power of God. Faith holds nothing in the abstract. All its knowledge is connected immediately with the Person of Christ; and is warm and living with the true perception of His love. God's purposes are not so near to us as God Himself, who dwells in His believing people. It is in the remembrance of this that faith finds its needed strength for everything. Power, being acknowledged to belong to God alone, is already known to be on our side. The simple Christian walks in strength and joy, because he walks in God. It is thus that the really spiritual man is distinguished from one whose secret confidence is in the flesh.

The same power that wrought in Christ and raised Him from the dead, has also wrought in us and raised us from a state of death in trespasses and sins — it has delivered us clean out of the hands of Satan, and placed us as redeemed ones in the presence of God with every enemy beneath our feet. Ephesians 2 is the explanation and development of this great truth. The very same power has wrought in the Christian that has been displayed in Christ. We see it accomplished in Him. We know it will be fully accomplished in us in due time. The power abides with us. "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Nothing can be plainer to faith than these words — nothing can be more difficult to reason. Christ is faith's object. All truth is connected with Him. We can only gain a knowledge of truth by an ever deepening knowledge of Christ. Blessed Lord, the eye, the heart, the thoughts, must all be fixed on Thee, and all our delight must be in Thee. Then, learning Thy word is easy. We need not that any one teach us. The light shines — the Holy Ghost is our teacher.

Christ shares in the life of the true believer and gives His followers two vital ingredients for effective living: power and authority. The Christian increases or limits that power in direct proportion to how much of his life he really shares with and submits to his Lord (see John 15: 1‑8).

Secondly, we learn that not only is the believer saved and forgiven, but, being saved, God, by His divine power, hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). We have to face the power of the flesh within, the power of the world around, and the power of the devil against us; but "divine power," which is far above every adverse power, is for us, and in this power it is possible to live the life of godliness.

Secondly, we learn that not only are we as believers saved, but that God by "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." We have to face the power of the flesh within, the power of the world around, and the power of the devil against us; but the power of God, which is far above every adverse power, is for us, and in this power it is possible to live the life of godliness.

(2.) We have also POWER. "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Each one who is in Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and He it is who is the source of power for walk, conflict, service, and worship. Were it not for this blessed provision, we might be tempted to exclaim, Granted that we are in Christ Jesus, but how shall we be able to meet the insidious movements of the flesh which still remains in us? The answer is found in verse 13: "If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Power is thus bestowed equal to all emergencies, and to enable us to enjoy the privileges of the place into which we have been brought, as well as to refuse every thing which would seek to rob us of our blessings.

First then, it is plainly declared that God gives to believers the Spirit of power (Acts 1:8) in order that even the feeblest may boldly partake of the afflictions of the gospel in testimony for Him (2 Tim. 1:7-8). And in proof of its divine origin, this power has the peculiar property of becoming more abundant and more easily available in proportion as it is needed and drawn upon, contrary to mere human power which must of necessity lessen the more it is used. This blessed fact the apostle learned from the Lord's words, "My strength is made perfect in weakness"; and on that account he gloried in his infirmities, so that, the power of Christ might rest upon him (2 Cor. 12:9). Not only, however, in times of difficulty but constantly, the power of God keeps (1 Peter 1:5), strengthens (Col. 1:11), establishes (Rom. 16:25) and works in us (Eph. 3:20), bringing our self-willed hearts into the obedience of Christ, and, instead of anger, lust and malice, producing love, joy and peace. Indeed it is only as God works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13), that we can live acceptably before Him.

Power we must have; both to deliver us from the paralysis internal to ourselves, which sin has produced, and to enable us to go rightly through external circumstances, as those who serve the will of God. Power is conferred upon us, and the wonderful thing is that it should be by the indwelling of the Spirit of God. Something much less than this might have sufficed for us, but nothing short of it has been given of God. The risen Christ, about to go on high, said to His disciples, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses to Me" (Acts 1:8). This promise was fulfilled ten days later on the day of Pentecost, as Acts 2 records.

But we must never forget that we have no power of ourselves to attain to this; the power is wholly outside of us, and the more we realize our own weakness, the more shall we take hold of the power given us of God, even the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead. Does such a life seem impossible to us? It would indeed seem so, if we consider our own weakness, and look at the lives of most of the Christians of our acquaintance. How rarely do we come across a truly rejoicing Christian! But with God all things are possible; and, knowing from His Word what His desire is for us, may we not in our prayers claim, in simple childlike faith, and expect to receive, what He and our blessed Lord wish us to have? G. F. Barlee.

The power of God enables the faithful servant to endure whatever trials he will have to face in the path of God's will. For this God has given to us the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, which will keep us from all fear. We have already experienced this divine power, for it has saved us, bringing us from under the domination of Satan, and translating us into the kingdom of God's dear Son.