Midweek Message from the Archive
Eph. 1:19 Tangible Power
… and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might Ephesians 1:19 ESV
Buried in this passage is insight into your identity in Christ. God’s dynamic power is available to you; that’s the truth. It’s limitless, mega-power, and working energy that’s waiting to be released to you by the Spirit. Today let’s look at the last two Greek words of this passage that can be easily overlooked: great might.
Simple enough, however, they are compacted together with spiritual truth that should impact our life as believers. The first word is kratos. Paul chose a strategic word that indicates power that is tangible, demonstrated, and even eruptive. It’s the word used to show God’s dominion over death: it’s resurrection power!
For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Hebrews 2:14b NLT
Kratos was evident and tangible when Jesus was seen and touched after His resurrection. How was that possible? Kratos raised Him from the dead. It’s the greatest, strongest power known to man transmitted from God into our life. This divine force will raise dead things to life. Is there anything dead in your life or relationships? Kratos can operate in you.
The second power word is iskus. This word, translated might or strength, gives us a picture of a body builder or Crossfit guy who renews his strength and receives empowerment to stand against anything Satan fires at him. Iskus also gives the strength to love. Jesus said the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-33) is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and iskus, strength and love others in the same way.
There are times in relationships when we need kratos and iskus working together to bring life from the dead, use them, they’re part of your DNA, your identity in Christ.
Paul used this dynamic duo again in Eph. 6:10,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
That mighty power is kratos iskus and Paul reminds us that it’s God’s tangible strength that will empower us to be conquerors over the devil. The next verses in Eph. 6 describe the armor of God and how to stand against our enemy. Remember, this is not a physical battle, our enemy is not people, it’s a spiritual battle and our enemy is Satan.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT
When Paul was harassed by Satan he quoted Jesus,
My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV
Declare Eph. 1:19 over your situation and expect tangible results to erupt mightily from the Holy Spirit into your life.
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