Power to Become
“Thine eyes did see my substance,
yet being unperfect…”
Psalm 139:16
The work and wonder of God within our lives is a mystery. He shapes and orders our steps as we follow His leading. There is a contingency to our birthright in Christ. Many years ago I was struck with this verse:
“But as many as received him,
to them gave He power to become the sons of God…”
John 1:12
The emphasis of the Spirit of God to me personally was the word “become”. I realized at that moment that the purpose of Christ coming into my life was not that I simply believe in Him, but to grant to me His power to become a life that glorified Him which was only possible by receiving that power. In that moment of revelation, I realized my inherent poverty to affect this genesis in my own life. All the forces and willpower of self would be utterly impotent to realize the Call of God to grow into something which would honor Him.
The concept of becoming has implications in our lives. The mystery of this call is wrought with ambiguity and perplexity which can be a source of angst and discouragement at times. Yet there is an indomitable faith that presses through the obscurity to where the mystery becomes an adventure. As time passes the heart no longer needs to understand the journey; it is enough to know the wonder and simplicity of obedience. We see doors of opportunity open before us. Rivers part as we step into them, and we feel His joy in us. It is called the “Joy of the Lord”! It is His Joy filling our hearts and in those moments His Joy becomes our own.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now,
and what we will be has not yet appeared…”
1 John 3:2
The becoming is a work in progress but the press of God within the hearts of those who feel the spirit of adoption pursue Him through the power of Him at work within. John goes on to say this of those who have this press of God burning within their hearts:
“And everyone who thus hopes in Him
purifies himself as he is pure”
1 John 3:3
The validity of this living hope within is revealed in a growing purity of heart. To simply believe in Christ without a passion to be pure is incongruent with His Life.
“As many as received Him…”
To them gave He power, the right, the privilege to become. The verity of His Life within is a quest and longing to “…know Him and the power of His resurrection”. A religious person is content with believing; the true child of God hungers and thirsts for actual righteousness which is ours in Christ.
“But now we see not yet all things put under him…
But we see Jesus…”
Hebrews 2:8-9
There remain obstacles to our becoming; pride, brokenness, and the carnal things of our nature are not yet fully “put under Him”. Nevertheless, in the beholding of Him we do not grow weary, nor do we settle for a compromise in our lives.
“Everyone” who has the living hope of Jesus burning within “purifies themselves… even as HE is pure”! Perseverance is the pulse of the Holy Spirit. All who have received Him have the power to press into the battle of faith until every enemy of our heart is brought under the feet of Jesus. God has an answer to the mountains of self which stand before us.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
Zechariah 4:6-7
Our hope is not in a grace which is a sentiment; our hope lies in a grace which is the power of God. Let us not grow weary. Let us not allow our hearts to become complacent, apathetic, or lukewarm. Rather let us encourage and exhort one another to finish the race with God as our chief joy and purpose in life.
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it”
Zechariah 4:9
Jesus the Christ is our Zerubbabel! What He has begun in us He will surely finish!
See: Discovering the Call
Brian Troxel
As I read this so many passages came to mind, as they often do when I read your writings. When you wrote: “Everyone” who has the living hope of Jesus burning within “purifies themselves… even as HE is pure”! Immediately I was given the passage when the disciples understanding was opened and their heart’s burned within as they walked with Jesus! (Luke 24:13-32) I love how Jesus questioned them and they did not know it was Him walking with them until He opened their understanding!!!!!! And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
OH How do we ever Praise and Thank God for the grace we now live in, given freely out of His love for us! Loved everything you have written here. Many Blessings.
Julia
P.S. I do not have a blog roll such as yours, but with your permission I would like to add you on the sidebar of my website?
Jesus with His disciples on the Emmaus road is one of my favorite passages! I pray that He would ever come and correct me and open my eyes afresh to all He is.
Greatly appreciate your kind words.
Blessings
BT
I fully agree. The power to become is a constant workout with faith. Not of the body, but of the mind. May God grant us wisdm in his love and great plan. LOLGB+
These truths are abundantly clear in the Scriptures, yet they are news and a bit of a mystery to the large majority of church attenders. Thank you for posting them, for in them is life.
Yes, amen. We are in a very dark time and as the prophet declared over Jerusalem so also in our day…
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2
Such a good post Brian (I’m going to attempt once again to see if I can comment, seeing it hasn’t worked whenever I’ve tried before)
So many good points but a consistent thread woven all the way through this post… it makes me think of “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly”
Finally got the comment section working. Thank you for the comment and your perseverance.
Blessings
BT
I totaly agree! The power to become is a constant workout in faith. The building of mind is more important than the building of body, for God knows our bodily needs and sees that they are taken care of. LOLGB+
Hello Phillip, thank you for stopping by and even more for the good comment.
“…exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 1 timothy 4:7-8
So many today spend more time on bodily exercise and neglect the true exercise of ourselves unto godliness which has eternal implications of glory.
Will stop by your blog as well.
Be blessed.
BT