Paul continues his passionate description of the power of God. Through this power Christ was raised from the dead and stands in authority over all angels, demons, and humans ever to exist – whether they acknowledge his Lordship now or only in the age to come. “Right hand” denotes power, not so much that God has hands and the two beings sit on physical thrones ruling over us but that he was raised to a position of honor and power above all other powers. To think that this same power that plucked Christ from Hell and exalted him to the highest heaven is available to work in our lives!
When I read this description of Christ’s power and how awesome he is, it astonishes me that the Father would be conforming me into the Son’s image. Jesus modeled this in part on earth by training fishermen and tax collectors as well as more “religious” men to be his disciples who would turn the world upside down through the power of God. This same power is available today to raise us from our old lives dead to sin and equip us for all good works. At times we feel inadequate and choose not to do things we are called to do. We choose the easy path rather than the narrow road. How amazing would our days be if we sought the power and will of God each day! We’ve been buried with Him in baptism and raised with him from the dead. We have the power to witness, the power to daily live the fruit of the Spirit, and the power to bring him glory in our suffering. We don’t need Self Help books or any new dispensing of God’s power; we received it all when we first believed! Now go out and live like you believe it!
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
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