It saddens my heart when I hear a person of faith start to describe the power of God as if it is a type of cosmic mass. The perception seems to be “if we get the formula just right, we will see miracles happen.” Such statements are made as “Well, if you quote just the right scriptures the healing will be released.” or “You have to speak in faith brother, and call it forth in Jesus’ name and then you will be healed!” We must realize that the same community that seems to major in grace about every other area of their walk with Jesus throws grace out the door when it comes to their faith statements or what they call “confessions.” It is true! They believe one misspoken word about an illness, or one little hidden sin, or carrying any doubt about Jesus healing you that minute could block the healing. The following scripture contradicts their formulas. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2nd Timothy 2:13 (NKJV). What adds to the needed balance is the simple truth about the Biblical pattern of the distribution of heavenly power by the Holy Spirit. Let’s consider a couple of New Testament words that differentiate the unique kinds of the use of God’s power in the original Greek language.
The faith movement correctly teaches that the original Greek word “dunamis” refers to the release of a type of God’s power, as found in Acts; “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;” Acts 1:8a.(NKJV) “Dunamis” is also found in other areas of the New Testament. However, it’s important to realize that it always describes power “delegated” in the moment by God’s sovereign will in answer to prayer. At no time do we see any New Testament individual operating in a supernatural power mode that comes anywhere close to what Jesus did and for very good reason! No disciple healed everyone in any town anywhere as Jesus did on occasion. In my opinion God understands that man’s pride could not handle that level of power and He also realizes that an ongoing connected relationship with Him is crucial to the proclaiming of the gospel.
The second Greek word for power, found on page 868 of “WE Vines Expository Dictionary” describing the level of power Jesus operated in, is called “exousia”. It describes an unlimited, unrestricted power that was, by Christ’s own words, limited only by His Father’s will, which He sought diligently. Too often the scripture “And greater works than these shall he do because I go to my Father” found in John 14:12b,(NKJV) is quoted out of context and applied to any miracle that a faith movement follower may choose without praying through to discover the will of God in the matter. The words “because I go to my Father” clearly indicate His sovereign involvement in any God-sent miracle. Many have pointed to the fact that Jesus realized that truly leading someone to salvation is greater than any miracle that Jesus ever could perform!
When believers have not yet ascertained this important balance between receiving and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, they usually end up on a personal power trip. Even though they claim to be seeking God’s “dunimus” power, they are talking and acting as if that power is some sort of cloud cluster that will come down if “they” get the formula just right. We must all discover and accept the fact that everything the Holy Spirit does is delegated by the Heavenly Father according to His plan and will for that specific situation. We only need to be concerned when we feel that somehow we have tapped into a power source which we think that we have control over. One of the earliest warning signs that will prove to you that what you believe is in error is when you see that what you are practicing simply does not work consistently. Jesus warned that in the end times the enemy will deceive, if possible, even the elect!” Matthew 24:24b(NKJV) These power confusions are what Satan could mastermind to usher in his last day’s attack on Christ’s church.