Unleashed Power

When the power of God is unleashed in the world, power by a definition that is beyond defining has been turned loose.  While the creation itself speaks of the power of God, even it pales in comparison to the way the power of God brings life to death.  It is one thing to bring the mountains, the sea, the heavens, and all living things into being, but it is something even beyond this miracle to give life to the dead.     

In the first chapter of Romans, the Apostle introduces us to this theme of "the power of God,"  but in the eighth chapter he provides the illustrating evidence as he writes, "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you."  (Romans 8:11)  And when we go from this Word to the gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus, we get a complete picture of the most powerful mystery which has ever touched the earth.    

Not only does this power enable us to stand at the grave and look beyond it with confidence that death does not have the last word, but it also gives us a glimpse of an eternity which has a door opened for us in that moment of our own death.  It is because of this power of God that the Apostle Paul would write such triumphant words as "Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  (Romans 15:55)  Paul knew the answer to his questions because he knew about the power of God.  So do we!