Obedience Unlocks God’s Power

In Ephesians 4:23 I read to, “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.” (CEV)

Over and over again, the Bible illustrates this important truth: The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment I take a step of faith.

When Joshua faced a seemingly impossible barrier, the floodwaters of the Jordan River receded, but only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power.

In these situations, God’s power follows my action. But I don’t have to wait until I feel powerful or confident. Just move ahead in my weakness; do the right thing, despite my fears and feelings. This is how I cooperate with the Holy Spirit; it’s how my character develops and how I grow spiritually.

The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up. Each metaphor requires active participation: Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built, they don’t just appear, and children must eat and exercise to grow.

Effort has nothing to do with my salvation, however effort is essential to my spiritual growth. At least seven times the New Testament tells me to “make every effort” in my growth toward becoming like Jesus (Luke 13:24, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:3, 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 4:11, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Peter 3:14).

I can’t just sit around and wait for it to happen. I need to act.

Paul explains in Ephesians 4 my three responsibilities in becoming like Christ.

First, choose to let go of old ways of acting. “Everything, and I do mean everything, connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!”  (Ephesians 4:22 The Message). My new life is based on God’s truth and living according to his Word. That means there may be some behaviors I need to change.

Second, change the way I think. “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” (Ephesians 4:23 CEV).

The Bible says I’m “transformed by the renewing of my mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV). The Greek word for “transformed” is metamorphosis. It’s used today to describe the amazing change a caterpillar goes through in becoming a butterfly. It is a beautiful picture of what happens spiritually when I allow God to direct my thoughts. I've changed from the inside out. I become more beautiful, and I’m set free to soar to new heights.

Third, put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. My character is essentially the sum of my habits; it’s how I habitually act. The Bible says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).

So I shouldn’t just sit around and wait for spiritual growth to happen, it never will on its own. Instead, be obedient so that I can unlock God’s power in my life!

In summary, Let the Spirit change my way of thinking. The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment I take a step of faith. The Jordan River receded only after the leaders stepped into the rushing current in obedience and faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power. God’s power follows my action. But I don’t have to wait until I feel powerful or confident. Just move ahead in my weakness; do the right thing, despite my fears and feelings. This is how I cooperate with the Holy Spirit; it’s how my character develops and how I grow spiritually. The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building, and a child growing up. For example, each requires active participation: Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built, children must eat and exercise to grow. Effort has nothing to do with my salvation, however effort is essential to my spiritual growth. So I am to make every effort in my growth toward becoming like Jesus. I can’t just sit around and wait for it to happen. I need to act. Paul explains in Ephesians 4 my three responsibilities in becoming like Christ. First, choose to let go of old ways of acting. My new life is based on God’s truth and living according to his Word. That means there may be some behaviors I need to change. Second, change the way I think. I’m “transformed by the renewing of my mind.” When I allow God to direct my thoughts. I've changed from the inside out. Third, put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. My character is essentially the sum of my habits. So I shouldn’t just sit around and wait for spiritual growth to happen, it never will on its own. Instead, be obedient so that I can unlock God’s power in my life!

My old way of life before I believed in Christ is completely in the past. I need to put it behind me like old clothes to be thrown away. When I decided to accept Christ's gift of salvation, it was a one-for-all-time decision as well as a daily conscious commitment. I am not to be driven by desire and impulse. I must put on the new nature, head in the new direction, and a new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit provides.

Father, thank you for wanting me. I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. I want to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.  Father, help me to put on Jesus’ character by letting go of my old ways, and changing the way I think. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I ask these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.