The Son of God in Power
And designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4)
Rom. 1:1-4 and 15-18; John 10:30-38 and 12:44-45; John 14:8-10; Col. 1:15-20; Isa. 63:1
What Is God Saying?
The Book of Romans is the most significant piece of writing the Holy Spirit put into the heart and brought from the pen of Paul. Piercing all pretence, it leaves us no defence. While it shows God's wrath against ungodliness, it also indicates God's heart of love for the ungodly. It unveils the cause of our unrest and despair and shows us the way to peace. ‘The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Despite our lostness and bondage to the world, God still loves the people in and of the world. That is the message of Romans and, according to our text, that is the reason Christ is ‘designated to be the Son of God in power.’
How Does This Apply To Us?
The key theme of Romans is justification by faith. We are lost and we need to be saved. The practical application of Romans is that, as the root bears fruit and the seed yields life, so the new life in Christ and the actual life of Christ should and can and will result in deeds of love and kindness, in thoughts of purity and obedience, and a life of holiness (wholeness) and peace. Our Lord is the Son of God in the power of the Resurrection, and that same Resurrection power is the resource of our daily life. If His love is our love, His truth our truth, and His life our life, then His power is our power. Claim that power, not for pride or self-glory, but for joy in service, peace in living, and hope in dying. That is the Gospel. Good works do not save us; we are saved for good works.
Pray With Me
Lord of the radiant resurrection, shine today in my heart. I bring before You every weakness and every failure. May nothing keep these words from speaking to me with all the peace and blessing of your presence. With all barriers down and doubts removed, I would hear your voice say and feel your compassionate touch.
Son of God in power, Spirit of holiness, resurrection from the dead; the power of God's Son can never be separated from holiness. How simple this is, but it has often escaped me. Lord, let me be in the company of your Spirit of holiness. May your Spirit walk with me in the power of the Son of God and the glory of His resurrection. Then, I shall be able to do all that I am commanded to do by the Spirit of Your holiness by the power of Your resurrection. Then, life will be good because it is spent in the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
For His glory and in the power of His resurrection. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Ponder these words, ‘The Son of God in power.’ It is in that name we pray. It is from that power we draw. Prayer is not reciting empty words or practicing empty rituals. We kneel before Him to draw strength from Him. He has power. He is power. He is ‘the Son of God in power.’ Consider every petition, make every request, and offer every thanksgiving with that single thought in mind. The Lord who rules my heart, the Friend who wants to answer my prayer, is ‘the Son of God in power’—risen, living, invincible power. It will make a difference when you pray and after you pray.
