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The Relationship between Power and Pressure
There exists today more increasingly, a powerlessness that exists in the Church. Although there is much doctrine and teaching, there is less power. There is powerlessness in various aspects of our lives. Our biggest evidence of this is not how much we can talk and how hard we may preach and teach, but how little these produce. With a certain departure, we have loose much ground. Our prayer lives and its effectiveness are evident by its powerlessness. Sin and its strength in many’s lives are evident by our powerlessness. Evangelism and soul winning is characterize by powerlessness. Against an increasing onslaught of satanic influence and deception, there is powerlessness to resist and to “stand fast.” In almost every area of our lives there is powerlessness and ineffectiveness to victorious Christian living and service. There are various reasons for this tragedy; one I need to set forth is this aspect of power and its relation with pressure.
We live in a time where troubles, afflictions and hardships are looked upon with much contempt, disrepute and disregard among today’s Christianity. We live in a technological advanced age where everything becomes more comfortable and relaxed. With all its advantages, we have been captivated and mesmerized by an age where progress have made a deep trade in of Christian values and of the very principles that underlines true faith and its deep rooted anatomy and make up. Much of our Christian living is being characterized by ease and comfort. In fact, in many circles it is even presented as the “abundant life” Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. We cannot fancy ourselves that this is true. We do not live today a separate type of Christian life or have a separate kind of Christian experience. We are part of a already established organism and body that existed before us and in which we have become partakers of. We must not lose sight of this. Everything we are, are already define by this historical organism we have become part of. This in short means that we are facing more challenges and choices regarding the way we live and how we arrange our lives. What we have today is a Christian people and nation that have discarded hardship, want, adversity, affliction and just the old time difficulty in the ordinary workplace and live place. Many openly state that it is not God’s will for us to suffer with many things that have become so part of our lives and comfort zone.
With all these advantages the Church of Christ faces many perils in these perilous times. We are not helped but diverted from true effectiveness and power. Whatever makes us bypass suffering and hardships doesn’t help us but defraud us from what hardship produce and results in. The less we suffer, the less we take upon ourselves. Just look at us! We waste our afflictions and disregard suffering and difficulty in our walk with Christ. We maneuver ourselves out of everything that will bring upon us difficulty and hardship and that will rob us of our ease and comfort! We can take just so much if it will - by the way - imply it will bring more ease and less difficulty and then we can bear with that! But that’s how far it goes, there’s a limit that must not be exceeded because the flesh can just go so far and no further! Look at our family lives. Look how small and insignificant it have become! It is a disgrace in the face of our rich heritage of those that went before us. We are not imitators but rebels of their values they had of the family. Children are viewed as something that we decide on. When have we become the masters of our fate? When did it come down to us to choose what we want and how many we want? Anti – children can be written all over today’s “loving – tender Christian homes!” We shun the cross and refute the crown. Children for many today are a stick in the wheel. Some time ago I was talking to an evangelist and his wife. They were married then for some time. After we talked some time they said: “No children, it will not be good, it will hinder the work!” Imagine that for a moment. We shun difficulties, hardship, suffering and trouble, today all in the Name of Christ. The woman who could submit her life and bearing into God’s will and provision, will be submitted to many pain and trials. Blessed woman! Recall if you will, from a mere human point of view, the virgin Mary. When the angel came to her, with the tidings of Jesus being formed in her, what was her reaction? Remember what it must have cost her, think of her name and reputation! To be with child, even toward Joseph, which probably had trouble with what was humanly obvious, that “while he thought on these things…” the Lord had to inform him what was the true condition of his bride to be? Did she shun from such anguish and troubles? Listen to her reply:
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)
“Be it unto me according to Thy Word…” There’s something in that phrase that involves much discomfort, much unease and difficulties, but she submitted to the will of God! She gave herself over to whatever would be the results of her action. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord….” “Lord do with me whatever Thou pleased, even if it involves hardship and pain! And she was favored by God. On whom did God promised to pour out His Spirit in “those days?” Isn’t it on those who have submitted their whole life with its entire outcome to God to do with them whatsoever He wills?
“….And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy…” (Acts 2:18)
This is what it comes to. There is a definite relationship between pressure and power. He who knows no pressure, knows little power. Power is generated from pressure. Pressure is generated from troubles, hardship and affliction. He who disregard and avoid discomfort, uneasiness and trouble, shun the very resources by which he may surpass and function. If you want to know the power of God operating in your life, then you will be one that will be subjected to much distress and hardships. Don’t disregard your situation. Don’t waste your afflictions. It is there to produce the very means by which you will overcome. This is the very secret the early Church had, and everyone who ever knew the power of God, was subjected to all kinds of pressure. In nothing else does the life of God come into operation, than when the pressure becomes to that point of human inability. This is the true principle of resurrection life, this is where resurrection life spring forth, out of human ability passing through death.
Consider with me these passages in 2 Corinthians.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; “ (1:3-10)
Again in 4:7-17:
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
These words convey such deep spiritual principles which bear upon us such realities for our very lives.
First we will consider the connection between pressure and power in Paul’s life experience. Today fewer than before, but still some speak about being clothed with power or being filled with the Holy Spirit in order to poses power to evangelize, overcome, etc. In Acts 1:8 we have this promise or statement where Jesus said that “they shall receive power when the Holy Spirit shall come upon them and they will be His witnesses…” When perceiving this, few understand the life of the Spirit filled believer. Few know that such a life even exists. What I need to show is this principle of pressure generating power in us who walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Look at this Scripture at hand.
“…Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation….”
Notice this working in Paul. There are certain pressures from outside and from “inside” working out something in others. This is most noteworthy. Because of “tribulation” Paul received some extensive ability to produce help to others. There was something at work in Paul life, in his outward life – circumstances, etc, and in his inner life that produced something that overflow to others. This was his daily experience. As the sufferings “abounds” so the consolation or outflow that it produced.
Many will recall the direct relationship between water and steam. When you put a pot on the stove and you cook some food, your kitchen will be filled with steam. If you would use the same water in another application and you put it into a thick container and apply heat to it, you will create pressure, which can be converted to power in a steamship or locomotion, etc. The same elements, - one produce power, and the other lets its efficiency to create power escapes into the air. There was always pressure through tribulation, trials, hardships, etc on the early church and on the apostles. There is a definite relationship between pressure and power. Without pressure there was less or even no power. We need to take heed of this relationship. Although there may be the same elements, if there is no pressure there cannot be any release of power. In many of our life’s much efficiency is lost, like the water in the pot, because we let the element that produce power in us escapes and becomes in effective. The early Church not only had continual pressure, but they implored this heat to produce in them power, that is they came to the end of their ability and started living, relying and functioning on God’s ability. Thus, these pressures became the very element that released the power of God in their lives. This is something today’s Christianity knows little about. When the stuff that produces pressure increases in our life’s – hardship, tribulation, trials, etc, we work ourselves out of it, we are in one sentence a generation that get rid and bypass the very things that drive us to the point of resurrection power, to that place where we began to draw from Christ’s life and power. This is what Paul is speaking about in 2 Corinthians. Look at this:
“…For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;…”
“… we were pressed out of measure… above strength … we despaired … that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead …” There is a effectual working of circumstances, elements, etc, that work for us an efficiency that release resurrection power in us. But its effectiveness is release at a point where“despair, an sentence of death” concur in us, to the point where we are brought to a deep abiding dependence on nothing but God’s ability, His faithfulness and power to deliver and ability to continue to deliver!
“… We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body… always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake … For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”
Notice the experience of the Apostle Paul; “troubled….. perplexed … persecuted … cast down …. Always bearing …always delivered unto death …” The words Paul uses describes something that few today experience and when some may they swerve from it as if it is something one should avoid, but it is exactly through these that God’s power becomes operative. Look for example at the word “perplexed.” It means, “to have no way out, to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn… not to know how to decide or what to do”
There in that very word lie many of our powerlessness. We poses resources by which we live and in which we draw from which keeps us from coming to that “despair” and “perplexes” through which we come to a deep dependence, not this kind of dependence everybody is talking about that they say they have while they draw from their resources, no a deep and utter dependence upon God drawing from Him sources which sprung forth from life out of death.
This “perplexed” which Paul refers to; to be left in want, is different from that which leaves one hopeless. Although Paul was without resources, left in want, had no way out and not to know which way, nevertheless it wasn’t to the point of despair. For many today this very life is in contradiction with what a Spirit filled life is all about. Many that become confronted with such a life, have stop following in the Way. Many do this unconsciously. They follow the easier way and fancy themselves to be filled with the Spirit.
Let me name a few things that we can and must implore in our lives so to release or experience God’s power, - resurrection power in us. These things when engaged in, produce pressure which in turn if implore produce power to overcome and which will release the ability of God in that area. It creates the “treasure” we obtain that is beyond our ability, but from God’s ability.
The pressure of sin
Few come to the point of resisting “sin “unto blood” When sin is not resisted it works with much ease in our life’s. It produces all kinds of pleasures and lusts. Some have resisted to a point, but have give in under the pressure it brought about. Sin, when resisted brings forth much pressure. This pressure is the very element many sway from. Nevertheless, when this pressure is maintained or to say when sin is resisted without giving sway, it produces such pressure that one starts despairing and perplexing unto that point where such a cry goes out to God and where such an utter abandonment is made to Christ, that there comes a release of resurrection power that overcomes the besetting sin. What looked like one’s death and defeat becomes one’s strength and power. Alas, few engage in this strife against sin. No one will experience the power of that resurrection Life of Christ without the pressure sin produces in our lives. We need to notice two things about the resurrection. The first is the fact of resurrection. This is that there is the fact that Christ died and rose again on the third day. This is a fact. It is an accomplish fact. Without this fact there can be nothing of victory wrought for us. Then there is because of this fact, the principle of resurrection. There was not only the fact that Christ rose but also a life principle of that resurrection wrought out in actual experience. We see this principle in Paul’s life actively in these passages. Although many believe in the resurrection of Christ, few live by its principal. Few experience the power of that resurrection Life over sin. Few experience the justifying power because few know its principle that is entered upon by laying hold off - because of the fact - becoming operative through faith.
There is a pressure that resisting sin in your life will bring about. Do not sway from this pressure, but utilize it to produce power in you, let it work for you an efficiency by which Christ’s salvation becomes effective in you. It will bring you to that place. You don’t need to wait until the pressure is to great to bear, you can as soon as you enter into this pressure began to employ your abandonment to God to total dependence and a trust that will release the power of Christ’s resurrection in you.
The pressure of need
It is probably here that we see this principle the clearest. Again, what may work out and for us, God’s efficiency, may also be hindered by our own ability. Until our own ability come to a place of despair it begin to bring us into that total abandonment to the ability and power of God. Our resources keep us from drawing from God’s torrents. Different kinds and various needs face us daily. Those who are “full” have little significance to what we refer to here. But the need of our day, the need whatever it may be and its increasing delay, produces on us a pressure that must be utilize to bring about power to fulfill the need. Why is it that so few of our prayers are answered? Why is there such powerlessness in prayer and supplication? Many pray for some real and special need but are brought to a halt somewhere in due season. Then after some time we even forget that we have ever prayed for that something. What we have today is a far cry from the very underlying principle of real prayer and supplication. True prayer is not based upon promised or even faith for that matter, not that it is not important, but true prayer is born out of deep felt need. Without need there cannot be that type of prayer that will overcome all its obstacles and hindrances, and press on to the very ear of God. No need, no true prayer. That’s the basis of all prayer that accomplishes something. But again, if there is no pressure there is no need. The greater the pressure, the greater the need. Our problem today is that we do not sense the need and so we do not pray or continue in prayer. The need is present. It is not until we are faced with pressure through trials, persecution, hardship, etc, where true prayer emerge that will take hold of the throne of grace. We need to employ the pressure of need to bring forth power in prayer. It is through the pressure of need that prayer become effectual. Take as an example the tragedy of some terminal sickness or accident or loss of some life changing incident. Look at the deep need it produces before God in prayer. Oh, what prayer and supplication it produces and the power it brings about through fasting and uninterrupted pleas. So, need are created through much pressure that work upon us so that we even face despair and deep perplexity, to the point where we feel the sentence of death over us and which cast us on God in such anguish, that out of that pressure are released a power that is beyond any we ever faced or knew!
The pressure of need that we face, be it financially, physically, etc, is not there to crash us, but to work for us an eternal weight of glory and a release of power now by which we may surpass and be sufficient in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The pressure of circumstances
Every day we are engage in things and elements that put a great deal of pressure on us. It is things which in many instances seems totally unasked for or are seemingly so meaningless. Circumstances play a much bigger role in our life’s than we imagine. Few of us are aware that in this area of our everyday normality’s, there exist such basic principle by which we are brought to a place where the pressure of circumstances brings us to the very life of Christ. Nothing allows the life of Christ to be manifest as through pressure in circumstantial every day things. In many is the life of Christ, already vigorous, in others it is caught up by various things. It is as if although Christ life is there, its outflow is hindered. Each one of us can bear up to a certain point. That point each can bear differs from person to person. But each one can only bear so much and then it cannot bear any further. Pressure brings each one to that point. Take for example the man that is so patient. There is a natural goodness and natural patience in every man. It is this natural life that is seldom dealt with by God. It is in the story of Saul and Agog the least dealt with in today’s Christianity. So this man is patient, all day long. On a certain day, things, pressure from all sides come upon this man. His patience begin to “stretch,” then later it comes to “override”, to “break point,” for some it takes years , but give pressure its full effect you see the natural only bear to a certain point and afterwards it fails. Circumstantial pressure help bring us to that point where another law, another life, another principle, something far above the natural ability, become active in us – the resurrection life of Christ. Here is not a simple imitation anymore, but an operation brought forth by pressure - the resurrection power of Christ Jesus!
It is mostly through circumstantial pressure, that our abilities become exhausted and spend up to the place where we start crying out, where that very pressure produces power in us (through many defeat, etc) by which we begin living through His strength and power, things that only was aforetime mere words and expressions becomes the real and effective in us.
How many have experience the pressure of outside things and even inside things to such an extent that one comes to a certain knowledge that the very life we live is not the life of Christ – because of its difference in a true Christ like character and life. We fancy ourselves many times that “Christ is living in me” but faced with circumstantial pressure one may easily comprehend that there is a definite lack, a definite distinction between Christ life and my life. It is when we are faced with various trials and pressures that it brings us to that point where the very existence of pressure produces in us (through a process of despair in ourselves and through distrust in our natural ability) power by which we transcends the natural and begin to live in the supernatural (for us but natural to Christ), the very life of Christ Jesus our Lord.
“ what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. … That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:8-9, 12, 10-11)
Again:
“ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)
Although this was the experience of the Apostles and others in the early church few experience this “manifestation of the life of Christ” in their mortal bodies. What produced this “release” in them, we shun from today. We turn away from any and most hardships and pressure today as if it is something that should be avoided and as if it should not be a part of a Christian’s life. And the result? We live in such a “natural ability” way of life that we little know the principle or “law” of life of Christ. The reason behind our “powerlessness” is because we shun and avoid trials, hardships – pressure - by living from our own resources and ability. What would bring power (resurrection) into our life, we see as something which intimidate and threaten our existence.
The pressure of Work
As it is with all the previous things, this one is the same. When it comes to God’s Work in this world, many see progress, prosperity and success. Today more than before, God’s work are held in such contempt if it is characterized by hardship, want, adversity etc. In fact if there exists lack in any way, many assume lack of faith and a lack of a right standing with God. But truth is, God’s Work must pass through much trial and pressure. Without pressure God’s Work cannot prosper or progress. Look at the early Church if you will. Their work was always accompanied by various troubles, perplexities (be out of resources), trials, hardships, want, etc, which produced in them great pressure by which God’s power were made manifested. It is as if God’s Work must pass through “death” before it brings forth real and abiding fruit! “…so death work in us but life in you” was Paul’s testimony. For this very reason many do not get involved in evangelizing their community or even just sharing the gospel with somebody every day. It is here more than any other place one experience he or her powerlessness in proclaiming the gospel. Again, some fancy themselves that they evangelize many. They would tell you how they talk to this person and that one and how they have told them something to think about. This is not God’s work. In most cases it’s a substitute for truly sharing THE GOSPEL (Few know what it’s all about!). Again, our powerlessness of sharing the gospel can be traced back to this point. We share the gospel from our own ability and use our natural resources. By this we avoid pressure, and so avoid the fullness of the Spirit’s power and ability. We have so many things today to “assist” us that it have become a replacement for to be truly be being filled with the Holy Spirit. So you have learned some effective way to reach the masses. You go out confidently that you will bring people to Christ. You walk up to a soul, introduce yourself, win some confidence, wait for a opportunity, take the opportunity, you start reflecting on what you have learn, you share and reason and leave that soul with “something to think about”. Let me tell you today, although God uses His Word, true effectiveness does not lie here. One of the most lacking things in evangelism and discipleship is not the lack of methods and teaching and materials, no, the most missing thing today is the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said:
“… ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
It’s not our cleverness that reaches the lost. It’s not that at all. It’s not our natural ability that produces converts. No, by no means. It is only when God’s Spirit is releasing the Word that brings conviction and faith. And the relationship that the power of the Spirit has, its release comes through various pressures that work upon our lives. In God’s work that pressure is there to let you throw yourselves completely on the power, resources and ability of the Lord Jesus Christ. It brings you to much prayer and supplication more than you have because you begin to feel the ineffectiveness and incapability of your own abilities and resources. So every time you start talking to someone to present “Christ in His blood” as a reconciliation, there will be continually working upon you fear, perplexity, etc, to through these produce pressure by which the power of the Holy Spirit is released. What you need is not more knowhow, etc, but this very pressure to bring you to that point of release of God’s power and effectiveness. But what do most do when they experience this perplexity and anxiety and fear? They withdraw and seldom if ever engage in real evangelism and the work of the gospel. We shun the very element that produces in us the power to effectively evangelize the lost. We must learn to let our fear, hardships, afflictions, etc, work for us an all encompassing weight of glory!
The pressure of the enemy
Today Satan is active, Peter describe him as a “roaring Lion” going about “devouring” the work and effectiveness of our life’s and testimony (1 Pt 5:8). Certain things bring more fierceness than just a type of “lie low and bother no one”. What is lacking is this spirit to resist Satan and his allies, be it through error, false brethren, false doctrine and false leaders, or through various plans, methods, assaults, etc by which he comes to “steal, to kill, and to destroys.” (John 10:10)
This brings trials and through troubles pressure in our life’s, work, and families, on our spirit, in our soul and on our body’s. We do not need to fight him, but to “stand fast” keep our ground, endure the assaults and triumph in Christ’s victory. The more we become active members of Christ’s body; the more we will be subjected to trials and persecutions. Many that were once involved have loose heart, others are afraid by the very face of the assaults etc of Satan. Few engage in active warfare and resistance. They experience much affliction and pressure. But they are also the ones that experience the power of God, by this it is released. We need today to resist the devil more actively than ever before, we must withstand him. This will produce hardships and troubles on every side. Be not discouraged, don’t quit the battle. Resistance will bring forth pressure, the pressure will work a death, this will bring resurrection, and resurrection brings power – power to overcome. Keep your position and stand against him. You may begin to experience despair as you begin to face many and various trials and hardships, but it will build up pressure in you, don’t waste this pressure, stand firm; it will produce the very power to triumph over Satan and all his devices! May the Lord bless His Word to your hearts and may you apply the pressure and facilitate it so that God’s power may be released in you in every area of your life, so that you may through Him be more than over comers! In one word: don’t waste your afflictions but let it work for you. Greetings in Christ. Amen.