The Reenactment of Christ’s Supernatural Power Through Us

The reenactment of Christ’s supernatural power through us is the third outstanding mark of a Spirit-filled life. All power belongs unto God, and He has delegated this power to His Son, and the Son, in turn, transmits that power to the one whose life is united with His. When He gave that last commission to the disciples, He said, “All power hath been given unto me in heaven and upon earth, go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:18-19) The “therefore” fully implies that, as He sent them forth to accomplish such a superhuman task, He promised to endue them with supernatural power. Just before His ascension, He told them to wait until they were “endued with power from on high,” and in giving this command, He reiterated His promise to send forth to them the Holy Spirit upon His return to glory (Luke 24:49). So, their enduement with power and their reception of the Holy Spirit evidently had a vital connection. The last words He spoke, as He was lifted up out of their sight, declared this.

Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

A study of the book of Acts shows us that those who were filled with the Holy Spirit were full of power. They had power to suffer and to sacrifice; to teach and to preach; to witness and to work. Thousands of souls were born into the Kingdom of God and blessed through their ministry. But this work of grace was not wrought through human energy, zeal, wisdom, or eloquence, but through the power of the ascended Lord poured forth through Spirit-filled lives.

Do you have the power of the Holy Spirit? Through you is He working mightily to convict men of sin, to constrain them to believe in Christ, and to conform them to the image of the Lord Jesus? If not, is it because you are not filled with the Holy Spirit? Wherever He is in fullness, He manifests Himself in power. “In order to have the Holy Spirit’s competency, we must have His control.”

One day, while rowing, I noticed a break in the bank, and a veritable river was flowing out of the lake through the adjoining fields, making everything around rich in foliage and fruitage. Inquiring of one of my companions why, with such a continuous outflow of water, the lake did not go dry, he replied, “Oh! there are innumerable springs in the bottom, and as much water as flows out through the river flows in through the unseen springs.” Such inflow and outflow symbolize a Spirit-filled life.

“In him a well.” The Holy Spirit in His fullness is Christ’s gift to every believer. He dwells within, a well of living water, a continuously upspringing fountain. With Him within, there is no need for dearth. The promise is that he “shall never thirst.” The supply will be commensurate with the need. Satisfaction and sufficiency characterize the Spirit-filled life.

“Out of him rivers.” The inflow demands and provides an outflow. Satisfaction in Christ means the overflow of Christ. The Holy Spirit in complete, continuous control is a well of living water within us, constantly springing up in ever-increasing fullness until there are rivers of living water flowing into other lives. Thus, the Spirit-filled life is one of perennial freshness, fragrance, fullness, and fruitfulness.

Is such a life yours? If not, do you desire it? It is available; it is obtainable; it is for you if you thirst. “If any man thirst.” Do you know there is more of the Holy Spirit for you than you have yet claimed? Have you enough of Him to make you want more? Then listen to the invitation freely extended to you. “If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink.” Drink until you are satisfied, until you are full, yes, until you are overflowing. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is for everyone who thirsts for it and who will meet God’s simple and clearly stated conditions.

“Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed
   His tender, last farewell,
A Guide, a Comforter, bequeathed
   With us to dwell.
And every virtue we possess,
   And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
   Are His alone.”

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

Gracious Lord, we praise You for making it possible for us to live a Spirit-filled life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, this life is ours.