His Power That Works Within Us (Part II)

Scripture

Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. - Ephesians 3:20

Yesterday's devotional discussed yielding to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He brings the power of the Lord to flow through us. When I began to understand this, I asked the Lord to expand me so that I could be used as a vessel for His power to flow through me to the world. I wanted the Holy Spirit to have full control. The Lord answered my prayers, but not in the way I expected. As I walk in deep fellowship with Him, I notice that He has begun doing an inner work in me. The scripture, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24) became life to me. He showed me that before He could bring power, He had to bring sanctification.

Though His goal is to empower me, it all starts with Him sanctifying me. I knew sanctification took place when I got saved, but there is a progressive sanctification that I had to submit to as well. In deep fellowship, we engage the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He needs to do inner work in us first. Remember the scripture in John that spoke of rivers of living waters? If we don't submit to the process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit, then that river stays clogged by our fleshly desires, jealousy, lust, pride, drunkenness, and any other habit and sin that beset us. Instead of God's power flowing freely through us, it would flow in droplets. 

If we submit, the Holy Spirit will purify our conscience and mentality. Once He sanctifies us, God shows us the ways of the Spirit. The eyes of your heart will be enlightened to know the hope to which you are called (Ephesians 1:18). God wants to do so much through the saints, but our misalignment with the process prevents His power from flowing through us. Our level of submission matches the level at which the power of the Holy Spirit flows through us. Sanctification will unclog the river, and then the miraculous will flow through our hands. Let's submit to the process and allow the Holy Spirit to clear the debris from our lives as we walk in fellowship with Him. The degree to which His power works in us depends on us.

Prayer

Father, we lay ourselves on the altar today. We submit the old man and choose to walk in newness in you. We lay every negative habit and sin at the feet of Jesus and ask that your Holy Spirit sanctify us today. In Jesus' name. Amen