High Impact Christianity
The power Within
Ephesians 3:16, “That the Father would freely give [or impart] power, that you may be strengthened by His Spirit in your inner man.” The Amplified says, “May He grant you, out of the rich treasure of His glory, to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man, by the Holy Spirit - Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality.”
Verse 19 goes on to say, “.... That you may really come to know the love of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge; that you may be filled [through all your being] with all the fullness of God [that you may have the richest measure of His divine presence and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself].”
Verse 20… “Now, to Him who is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far above all that we dare ask or think [and infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams], according to the inherent power that works IN US.” Notice this, “…According to the mighty inherent power that is actively and effectively operating in us!” Here, Paul is giving his readers a unique understanding of the indwelling presence of God, and the awesome power that is active within our 'inner man'.
I love his terminology in this epistle! He prays that out of the rich treasure of God's glory, we might be “strengthened in our inner man”, and that we should be “flooded with God Himself!” However, God cannot dwell in a carnal place; He must abide somewhere sacred – a place inaccessible to carnality and sin.
1 Corinthians 3:16 declares that we are “the temple of God”, and that the Holy Spirit “dwells in us.” One of the realities expressed by this symbolism is man's three fold nature [spirit, soul and body]. Let me explain – the Temple of Moses was mainly divided into three distinct parts. There was its ‘exterior walls’, which were visible to all men. There was the Outer Court, where every general religious service was performed. And, there was the Holy Place, into which the priests alone might enter so that they could present to God the sacrifices and thank offerings specified in the Levitical Law. However, though the priests were near to God, they were still not 'within the veil' (they could not come into the immediate presence of God).
God Almighty dwelt in the Holy of Holies, in a sacred place inaccessible to man, where no one would dare venture. Therefore, the momentary entering of the High Priest, which took place once a year, only served to enforce the truth that there was no place for man in the presence of God until the veil was torn [Matthew 27:51]. Note, the most sacred part of the temple, that on which all the rest existed, and on which all was dependant, was the Holy of Holies.
Even though the priests could not enter there, and might never see the glory which dwelt there, all their conduct was regulated and all their faith animated, by the thought of the unseen presence within. The priest's whole life was controlled and inspired by his faith in the unseen indwelling glory within the veil.
Now, if we are God's temple, then in Him we also have three distinct parts. We have an exterior, the body, where our physical presence is seen by all. We have an outer court, our soul, where all our conduct must be regulated and conform according to God's Word. This includes the intellect, emotions, feelings and human will, where thoughts, affections and desires perform their services. Finally, we also have a Holy Place, the spirit (the inner man), a location which contains a hidden inmost sanctuary - “the secret place of the Most High”. Here God Himself dwells, and it's a place where man was not able to enter until the veil was torn by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Man is not only body and soul, but also spirit! Deep down, where the soul (the seat of consciousness) cannot enter, there is a spirit-nature (the inner self) which links us directly to our creator. Also, this inner chamber of the heart is where we'll find the blessed Holy Spirit. For it is here that He has taken residence and out of which He awaits to do His glorious work. Unless this divine 'indwelling' is fully recognised, and yielded to, and humbly maintained in adoration, it often brings forth very little blessing.
We must learn to regard God's temple, even the outermost court, as sacred to His service [1 Corinthians 6:19]. Furthermore, we must yield every power of our carnal nature to His leading and His will! Each of us must know and fully comprehend that there is a Holiest Place of all within this “temple.” A place where God Himself (at this very instant) is present – a secret place within YOU! This understanding must become the central truth in your temple worship. When you arrive at church, you individually bring God to this temple of worship – Cornerstone. However, we you leave the same must apply. You must take the most holy place out with you!
Notice, the Holiest place of all within you, is also unseen and hidden, a thing for faith alone to know, comprehend and deal with. Therefore, each time you approach the Holy One in reverence and worship, you must declare the wondrous truth that His Holy Spirit (even now) has made His home inside of you. You should take time to pray, meditate and be still, until something of the overwhelming glory of this truth engulfs you. As Paul said, ‘you should be flooded with God’s presence’. Thereafter, you should begin to rejoice in it! You are His temple, and in the secret place within you, He is seated upon the throne.
Faith in the indwelling presence of God will influence your whole life. The world of the consciousness [the soul], with all its thoughts and feelings, its affections and purposes, will eventually surrender themselves to the Holy Power that sits on the throne in your heart. In the midst of failure and sin a new hope will suddenly dawn! If you remember to worship God ‘in spirit and in truth’, He will send forth His divine presence and it will flood you – shining through to reveal His awesome power which strengthens from within. It is deep down, in the secret place of the Most High, that you will find supernatural strength. Note our opening scripture... “May He grant you, out of the rich treasure of His glory, to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit.”
As you wait patiently for the Spirit to reinforce you with mighty power in your inner man, God Himself will arise and fill His temple with His glory. Thereafter, you can expect the hidden glory of that secret place to flood your whole life! As Paul prayed, so it will be… You will be filled [through all your being] with all the fullness of God – that you may have the richest measure of His divine presence and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.”
We should all continually be flooded with the richest measure of His divine presence! This secret place inside of us is the greatest source of superabundant life. The life that Jesus has promised the whole world. So take His presence with you wherever you go! God said to Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here… This way we shall be separate from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.” Exodus 33:14-16 |
Chris Demetriou, 16/03/2008 |
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