10.5 Romans – Fully Changed and Fully Charged

There is nothing I do or can do that adds to what Christ has already done.  His gift is sufficient.  The price to pay is paid-in-full.

While I am not required to do certain acts, when I became a believer and every day since God gives me power and that power should change me.  Most days I don’t recognize and appreciate this power, but it is still there.  Ephesians 1:19-21 explained the power this way: “his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

The question isn’t whether we have the power or not, the message of the bible is clear – ask and it will be given.  The question is how we use the power.

Unfortunately, most of us simply don’t.  We compartmentalize our lives.  We are this person at home, this person at church, this person at work.  We blame others for the walls we create that hem us in (I can’t say this at work because…, I can’t do that at church because someone else is…, my family doesn’t like…).  But we create those walls when we compartmentalize.  We try to put God and God’s power in a box and store it on the shelf.  It doesn’t work that way.

Nor is it about us.  Notice that it is God’s power.  We are a conduit.  God’s power is to flow through us.  We are not a power generator.  We should not be power resistors.  We should be connectors letting the power of God flow.

But what if I can’t say something?  Then let the power flow through your actions and behaviors.  Be a person of peace.  If you are a person of peace in today’s world, you will stand out!  Trust the Holy Spirit.  When He prompts you to act, act.  When He prompts you to pray, pray.  When He prompts you to speak, speak.  It isn’t you and it isn’t about you.  It is God’s power – let it flow.

Start by breaking down the walls you have built by compartmentalizing your life and how you act and speak and behave in different settings.  Always be a Christian, in all places and in all settings.  Always be a child of God.  Always bring honor to our Lord.  Always be ethical.  Always control your tongue and your temper (with God’s power).  Always give joyfully. Raise people up, first in prayer and then in words and actions.

My Answers:

12.
We know, Christ was raised from the dead, Christ cannot die again, Death has no mastery of Christ, Christ died to (our) sin, Christ died for us once for all, Christ lives, Christ lives to God

13.
Home:
To be joyful, at peace, to pray as a family, to lead as an example to children and spouse, to put God first and family before self interest, to be a joyful giver, to worship

Work:
To lead with Christ, to be bold in prayer and compassion, to be ethical in every transaction, to be a positive witness never causing others to stumble

Church:
To say “here I am”, to be bold, to pray earnestly for others, to teach, to give joyfully, to work in unity, to worship whole heartedly