Power of the excelling christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the excellent and exalted One. As He leads us according to His promise, we are “filled with all the fullness of God” and given grace “according to the measure of the gift of Christ. For the perfecting of the saints… the work of the ministry… (and) the edifying of the body of Christ.”

Many people think that the gifts of Jesus Christ are only for the early century Christians. Today, He still gives gifts. He wants His power to manifest in us “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Our lives, spirit, soul, body, language, character, behaviour and interaction must be reconciled to Christ so He could “present (us) holy and un-blamable and un-reprovable in his sight.” He is our hope of glory. His grace, power, partnership and the gift of the Holy Ghost should make us “continue in the faith grounded and settled …” so that we will get to our glorious destiny.

Christ has promised to give us the fullness of the goodness, grace and glory of God. For those who have strong desire and hunger for righteousness, “they shall be filled.” These are the people who feel they do not have enough righteousness that flows from Calvary. They are conscious of their lack of righteousness and desire to be saturated with it. Unfortunately, many who claim to be members of the visible church do not have any desire or passion for righteousness. They seek many things, but fail to “seek… first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” Christ has promised that when we seek His righteousness first, all other things “shall be added” to us.

God is not stingy with His grace and righteousness. “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” He gives more grace, saving grace, sanctifying grace, sustaining grace, abundant grace and sufficient grace for every need of our lives and every spiritual challenge. He also promises to give us the fullness of righteousness, power and joy, but He wants us to ask. “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you … that your joy may be full.”

Christ gives the power to bear fruit more abundantly. He manifested the fulfillment of this promise by giving His disciples power “against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Christ’s desire for believers’ success in life and ministry has not changed. Therefore, we can also experience the fulfillment of His promised power as we connect and associate with Him, follow Him and willingly do His will.

As believers, we have been freely given power by Christ for fruitfulness and we must manifest it. His command is, “go, preach, say, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Furthermore, we are “endued” with power and authority from heaven to “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils” as well as “bring forth fruit” that will abide. We must begin to act confidently as people who are saturated with the power from on high.

Christ calls us to partnership with Him. He assures us of His presence “always, even unto the end of the world” and promised to give us the strength, understanding, courage, insight, enlightenment and all that we need to bear fruit. We come to the church to be enlightened, empowered, and energised to “Go … into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Christ did not speak to the world to go into all the churches. Rather, He spoke to believers in the church to go out and preach the gospel.

After obeying the commandment to preach, we need more powers, encouragement and freshness. For those who come to the church, but refuse to reach out to sinners with the gospel, the purpose is defeated. However, if we obey, Christ has promised to work with us, “confirming the word with signs following.” As we comply with His directive in our partnership with Him and remain faithful to His course, God will supply all the anointing, boldness, enthusiasm, money and motivation we need to succeed.