Dynamite Power???

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with ALL the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Eph 3:14-19

I have been studying the Church of Ephesus for some time now.  Paul’s heart for this loveless church screams with heartfelt passion.  He just so badly wants them to “make it.”  To finish the race strong.  To live a life worthy of the calling. To be imitators of God.  To live a life of love. To keep the unity of the Spirit. To stand firm until the end. To pray in the Spirit on all occasions. To be alert. To keep on praying for all the saints.

I think you get the point…

If I could have a prayer for you today, friend, this would be it.  The only way for this possibility to become reality is to realize a key word which Paul threads throughout Ephesians.  The Greek word “dynamis” is translated “power” several different times throughout this epistle and is simply defined “might, strength, ability.”  Blue Letter Bible further states “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.”  In addition, power here is in the passive voice meaning the subject is being acted upon by some agent.  The subject is not responsible for the action.  To give you a visual the English word dynamite is taken from this Greek word “dynamis.”

What’s all that mean?  What Paul is praying here is that Jesus would pour out His Spirit in my inner being which would explode, much like a stick of dynamite, and this vessel would be filled with might, strength, and power. 

One of the first times we hear this concept is in Acts when Jesus is telling His disciples to not leave Jerusalem but” WAIT for the gift my Father promised.”  What gift is Jesus referring to?   Acts 1:8  “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”

Can you hear the conversation now?  

“Don’t try to do this on your own, boys.  It won’t work. The only way you can be my witnesses to the ends of the earth is to be filled with this power. You have no ability on your own, so don’t even try it. I know it will be hard to wait, but this ‘power’ (spiritual dynamite) is a vital component and the only way miraculous signs and wonders will take place to draw many to Me.”

One more definition: this word in the Greek also means”power and resources arising from numbers; power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts.”  If we could somehow measure the “dynamis,” it would be off the charts! The representation of this power would weigh in as if an entire army were present! 

I don’t know about you, but that’s great news for me.  As a Christian, no longer do I have to “eek my way by” as Harry declares to Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber.   This vessel contains an enormous explosive power, much like a stick of dynamite, to manifest Jesus to a lost world. And that's my prayer for you...

Jesus, let me not lose sight of You.  Forgive me when I’ve tried to muster up my own ability and have subsequently misrepresented you to many.  I want to be so full of “dynamis” that all who look on cannot deny Jesus is real.