Even after my episode getting 'schooled' by God in the finer points of his ability, I still struggle day to day with allowing God to let loose that power in my life and I'm sure a lot of you do too.
SO....how do we drive the point home? Scripture...the Word of God! Keep reading the truth and it will set you free, right?
SO, I pulled up dunamis (the word for POWER in the New Testament Greek) and looked for other instances of its use to tell me more about God's ability.The next spot I see the word used is in the prayer Jesus himself taught us; formally known as the LORD'S PRAYER.At the end, the Son of God nails the point home with three epitaphs for God.
MATTHEW 6:13
" For YOURS is the KINGDOM and the POWER and the GLORY forever, AMEN!"
As if to tell us why we should pray to God this way or why we should pray to God at all, Jesus says three important things about his Father.
SO....how do we drive the point home? Scripture...the Word of God! Keep reading the truth and it will set you free, right?
SO, I pulled up dunamis (the word for POWER in the New Testament Greek) and looked for other instances of its use to tell me more about God's ability.The next spot I see the word used is in the prayer Jesus himself taught us; formally known as the LORD'S PRAYER.At the end, the Son of God nails the point home with three epitaphs for God.
MATTHEW 6:13
" For YOURS is the KINGDOM and the POWER and the GLORY forever, AMEN!"
As if to tell us why we should pray to God this way or why we should pray to God at all, Jesus says three important things about his Father.
1. Basileia
Translated here as Kingdom, it brings to mind King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Castles and Kings. But the word, as usual, means much more than that!
The word Basileia brings with it not just a connotation of an actual kingdom like a tract of land or domain, but by definition is the authority or right to rule. So, when Jesus says 'for YOURS is the Kingdom', what he really is saying is that the authority to rule belongs to God alone!
He also uses this word to refer to himself and the coming Messianic Kingdom where Jesus will sit at the right hand of the Father with all of the authority and right to rule.
Acts 2:36
(Peter's sermon at Pentacost)
"God has made him both Lord and Christ; this Jesus whom you crucified."
Translated here as Kingdom, it brings to mind King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Castles and Kings. But the word, as usual, means much more than that!
The word Basileia brings with it not just a connotation of an actual kingdom like a tract of land or domain, but by definition is the authority or right to rule. So, when Jesus says 'for YOURS is the Kingdom', what he really is saying is that the authority to rule belongs to God alone!
He also uses this word to refer to himself and the coming Messianic Kingdom where Jesus will sit at the right hand of the Father with all of the authority and right to rule.
Acts 2:36
(Peter's sermon at Pentacost)
"God has made him both Lord and Christ; this Jesus whom you crucified."
2. Dunamis
Dunamis, as discussed earlier is the Greek word for POWER. As with all Greek words, there is a much deeper meaning. Dunamis means ability.SO if you question God's call on your life or any part of the execution of this call, you call into question not only God's authority, but his ability.
Dunamis, as discussed earlier is the Greek word for POWER. As with all Greek words, there is a much deeper meaning. Dunamis means ability.SO if you question God's call on your life or any part of the execution of this call, you call into question not only God's authority, but his ability.
3. Doxa
The last word used in the final say of who Jesus said God was and is would be the Greek word, DOXA. This translates usually GLORY.
Doxa brings with it the thought of an opinion or Judgment about what the subject actually is. So, in the end, you not only call God's authority and ability to do what he has chosen to do in your life into question , but you deny God the glory he is owed. You call into question the reputation of God himself!
After reading Matthew 6:13, I have to think real hard about doubting God's calling on my life. This has serious repercussions. If God has the authority and ability to bring his will into your life, he is deserving of the glory that comes with the joyous resolution of carrying out that calling.
He is authorized. He is able. And He deserves the glory! Amen!
The last word used in the final say of who Jesus said God was and is would be the Greek word, DOXA. This translates usually GLORY.
Doxa brings with it the thought of an opinion or Judgment about what the subject actually is. So, in the end, you not only call God's authority and ability to do what he has chosen to do in your life into question , but you deny God the glory he is owed. You call into question the reputation of God himself!
After reading Matthew 6:13, I have to think real hard about doubting God's calling on my life. This has serious repercussions. If God has the authority and ability to bring his will into your life, he is deserving of the glory that comes with the joyous resolution of carrying out that calling.
He is authorized. He is able. And He deserves the glory! Amen!