Connected to Power: Living by the Holy Spirit’s Strength

Summary

A missionary’s powerless car illustrates a common spiritual problem. Power is available, but the connection is missing. Jesus promised unlimited power through the Holy Spirit, not for control or politics, but for transformed living and effective witness. The Spirit empowers believers only as they submit to God’s leadership. True spiritual power shapes character, fuels obedience, and enables bold testimony. Staying connected requires desire, confession, and faith-filled prayer, resulting in Christlike living and lasting impact.

A Car with Power but No Connection

Mission officials assigned Herbert Jackson, a new missionary, a car that needed a push to start. He parked it on a hill or left the engine running for two years. Poor health forced his family to leave the field.

Before he left, he explained his ingenious procedure to the new missionary. The new missionary checked under the hood. He quickly found the problem—a loose battery cable.¹ 

God’s Power Is Always Available

The power had been there all the time. The problem was the lack of connection to it. God’s power is always available. Are you connected to it?

In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus promised unlimited spiritual power through the Holy Spirit. Without it, you are like a car with an empty fuel tank.

Power for Witnessing, Not Politics

Jesus did not promise political positions to His followers. 1:6 records the last flicker of the disciples’ political ambitions. They still wanted to rule over others.

Jesus wanted them to serve others. Some Christians in the USA are actively involved in politics.

That is not necessarily bad. Government is important, but God does not save or transform people through it.

What the Holy Spirit’s Power Produces

In Acts 1:8, Jesus promised power for witnessing through the filling of the Holy Spirit. This filling is not an emotional buzz. It includes ordinary but necessary elements such as boldness, confidence, courage, ability, insight, and authority.

When the Holy Spirit completely possesses you, He purifies and refines you. He changes your thinking. You lose the desire for many sins that once gripped you.

Power for witnessing results from the choice to get right with God and to submit to His leadership. The Holy Spirit empowers you only when you submit to His leadership.

Witnessing With Life and Lips

Being a witness includes both life and lips. You are to be a witness, not just share your beliefs with people. The Holy Spirit provides the power to speak and live as you should.

Begin by being a witness to your family, friends, and associates at home. The gospel spreads out from your home in ever-widening circles. Its targeted destination is the entire world in every generation.

Jesus’ ascension was a further preparation for power. He insisted His disciples would be better off after He left (John 16:7).

With the Spirit’s coming, God’s power moved from an external, visible leader to a life-changing inner force. Jesus promised transforming power if you are prepared to receive it. This inner power molds you into the image of Jesus.

Some, without it, go out of their way to hurt other Christians. Church splits, power struggles, petty arguments, lovelessness, bitterness, jealousy, and cold wars all demonstrate a lack of spiritual power.

How to Keep Living by the Holy Spirit's Strength

To keep living by the Holy Spirit's strength, you must want it, confess anything that would block it, and pray in faith. That is how you connect to spiritual power 24/7.

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)