Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
This passage is awesome!! It jumps abruptly into the supernatural ability of God, and then inexplicably ties that ability to the power that works in us. My mind immediately goes:
What!? Are You talking to Me?
Really!? Are you sure?
Okay then, how in the world do we get some of that?
Only those blessed with the mind of Christ can hear and understand. Only those blessed with a new heart can believe it is possible. And even for us, there are so many questions:
How does God “do exceedingly, abundantly above all”?
What does “according to the power that works in us” mean?
What is that power?
Whose power is it?
What does it have to do with God’s glory?
How do we experience such a life?
Many times, the simplest answers bear the most truth. Many times, the truth hides right under our noses (so to speak). We will find our answer in the connection between God’s power and His glory.
According to the Power that Works in Us
“According to” means something like “in conformity with” or “depending on”. The exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think conforms to and/or depends on the power that works in us. That power is:
Dynamis: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth; power for performing miracles; moral power and excellence of soul; the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth; power and resources arising from numbers; power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts.
Some have defined dynamis as “raw power” (like dynamite). But as you can see, the power that works in us is certainly not raw. Dynamis is purposeful and productive – quite unlike dynamite.
So, where does that power originate?
…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
It is God’s power working in us which does exceedingly, abundantly above all. Simple, right? But also, so very profound!
The power of God to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think does not come from some place or person outside of us, but from within. Let that sink in for a while. This is exactly what it has to do with God’s glory: It is God’s work, of course He gets the glory for it!!
The Way
So, how do we experience such a life? That too is really quite simple.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
Notice the use of “will” in “he will do also”. Not “should”, nor “might”, nor “could”. Those who believe in Jesus Christ will do the works that He did, and even greater works than these.
The challenge, if there is one, is understanding and accepting what it means for us to do the same and greater works. The simple truth is this: Like Jesus, who claimed to do nothing of Himself (John 5:19 and 8:28), we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). Our doing is more like participating with God while He does the lion’s share of the work. One of my favorite examples is the God’s conquest of the Promised Land. After all the warring had ended and the land secured, He said to Joshua:
Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you—also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I delivered them into your hand. I sent the hornet before you which drove them out from before you, also the two kings of the Amorites, but not with your sword or with your bow. I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant. Joshua 24:11-13
You know, I believe the armies of Israel went to bed tired from the marching and fighting just about every night. But it was God who did the lion’s share of the work. While boots on the ground were fighting in the natural, God was clearing out supernaturally evil powers and principalities in the heavenlies. I am also pretty sure the Israelites were overcoming vastly superior armies and giants according to the power that worked in them.
The possibilities are the same with us today – perhaps even more so, now that Jesus has gone to be with the Father (John 14:12) and has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us (John 14:16-17).
Why Not Us?
Obviously, I cannot speak for everyone who might read this, and there are a myriad of reasons we miss out on God’s supernatural promises – ignorance and disobedience being the most prevalent. But, for those who have a heart to know and obey, here are two common reasons I have experienced myself and seen in others.
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Belief is more than we know (or practice); it is more than something we exercise to begin the salvation process. Faith lays hold of the grace of God for all God intends to accomplish in and through each one of us. If we do not believe in the exceedingly, abundantly, and greater-than life, we will not have the grace of God for it.
The cure is simple. Faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8). Like the man who sought out Jesus to heal His demonized son, we must ask God to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24).
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Working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) is more important than we know or believe… “for God is working in us to will and to do to His good pleasure.” Salvation is more than a prize or ticket purchased through a single act of faith; salvation is a process, a life-long process.
We are saved by grace, through faith for the entirely of our lives. Working out our salvation means there is something for us to do. We are not suggesting that works save us, but that our faith is perfected by our works (i.e., the work of faith).
The attitude we must have in working out our salvation – with fear and trembling – has been phased out of most gospel teaching. The fear of the LORD and its benefits have been lost for much of the church. Without fear and trembling, there is no “God working in you to will and to do to His good pleasure,” and there is no power within us to “do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
As you consider the meaning of this for you and those entrusted to your care and responsibility, keep in mind that the Father sent the Holy Spirit to bring us into all truth (John 14:26). He is also our transformer (2Corinthians 3:18), the One who renews our mind (Romans 12:2), and our strong ally against the deception and discouragement of our carnal mind.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2Corinthians 12:9
So… Why not us?
God bless you with faith for grace, and a renewed fear of the LORD.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen