God's Work Requires God's Power

J.A. Matteson

"I brought my son to you...so I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able" (Mk. 9:17-18).

What sort or manor of Christ does the church project to the world in which it is called to be salt and light? Note, that the authority of Christ over the supernatural realm was clearly conferred to the apostles and understood as much by the community at large. Presenting a situation to the apostles was synonymous with bringing it to Christ. Failure of the apostles to exercise the authority given them by Christ generated confusion to those seeking his redemptive intervention in their circumstances, causing them to question his ultimate authority and power. The Lord reveals the crux of their failure, a lack of prayer, which implies they were seeking to perform God's work in their own natural ability. God's work requires God's power, and God's power is only available through abiding in him. Unless we daily confess our inability to do anything for the Lord, earnestly seeking first his kingdom and righteousness in our own lives, we will fail as his witnesses before a watching world. Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness unto salvation. Abraham continued to believe in the presence and power of God and was greatly used of God throughout his life. The world is watching the church, bringing its needy, to identify the power and authority of God it claims to possess. Whenever the redemptive aspect of Christ touches a situation, be it a marriage in distress or a teenager in rebellion, restoration results, manifesting the power of God to the world. Jesus promises that all things are possible to those who believe. But the caveat for his redemptive power to flow is earnest prayer by those entrusted with advancing his kingdom.

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