Power Through Weakness

One of the great and most passionate pursuits of our present day society is a hunger for power. This lust for power, control, fame, and fortune is seen at nearly every level of societal structure. Corporate executives who lack integrity, engage in “in-trading,” and fleece the common man to build their treasure, are all too common. Unthinking and immature children and adult parents alike swoon over American Idols, Survivors, and reality dating shows whose entire focus lies in sensuality and sexual attraction and then wonder why they are so spiritually bankrupt. Even in the church we find ourselves jockeying for position, touting our accomplishments, and even seeking to manipulate the gentle and precious working of the Holy Spirit to make us as “people of power.” Well said were the words of Lord Acton, 19thcentury British politician who mused, “power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

When we read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we cannot help but be struck by his emphasis on power. In the opening verses of chapters one and two of first Corinthians, he references the power of the cross once, God’s power three times, and the Spirit’s power once. Yet when we read on, we quickly come to realize that Paul had a much different understanding of power. To Paul, power did not come through strenuous effort, disregarding others, manipulating people, or circumstances but through weakness. It was the weakness of the cross that revealed God’s power and the weakness of the Corinthian converts, few of which were wise, strong, noble, or wealthy, that made room for God’s power to be demonstrated. And it was Paul’s personal weakness, unconvincing charisma, unpolished rhetoric, and striking timidity that gave rise to the hope that God’s power might truly be seen.

We should not run from our weaknesses, failures, inadequacies, or inefficiencies. These are but the jars of clay, the earthen vessels, the weapons of choice for a God who desires to make Himself known and will share His glory with none other, to reveal His great power!



The book of Hebrews is probably one of the greatest, most majestic, and beautifully written of all New Testament books. It exalts the High Priestly work of Christ and reminds the reader repeatedly of the better covenant secured by the work of Christ of Calvary. It ends with a prayer that marvelously sums up the high theology of the letter. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of th everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to who be glory forever and ever, Amen.”

This prayer uncovers the great truth of the New Testament revelation of Christ. He has made us complete and righteous in God’s sight and He enables us to walk in that completion and victorious way. He makes us complete but He works in us. Paul said the same thing when he reminded the Philippians to “work out their own salvation, for it is God that works in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Hebrews reminds us that the final and eternal sacrifice has already been made and that the way into God’s presence is already opened up to us. It reminds us that the blood of Christ has forever secured our redemption. Yet it calls us to hold fast our confession, lay aside besetting sin and weights, and walk in the faith that is required to please God. It calls us to run with patience the race set before us, forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, pursue peace with all, and beware of the dangerous root of bitterness. It calls us to look to Jesus.

The price has been paid and our position in Christ established. But we must by faith, walk in the promise that Christ has made.