![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Philippians_3_10-11.jpg)
| “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” |
| —Philippians 3:10-11 |
Observing our current political scene, or the activities in most places of work, or, sadly, sometimes even in our homes, it doesn’t take long before we can spot those individuals who have become addicted to power. Power has the ability to enslave someone in the same way that narcotics, or pornography, or a host of dozens of other elements of substance abuse can.
In fact, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902), an historian and moralist, known more commonly and more simply as Lord Acton, expressed the following oft-quoted opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887:
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.
But, of course, not all power is bad. As followers of Jesus, we desperately need the empowering of the Holy Spirit in order to live our lives in a manner that moves us ever-forward toward spiritual maturity and greater holiness. We rightfully strive to become more and more like our Savior. That takes a unique brand of God-given power.
The Apostle Paul expresses his desire for a continual influx of godly power in these words from Philippians 3:10-11:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
The greatest expression of power on this earth came when Jesus overcame death and Satan and rose from the grave. In an act impossible for a mere mortal man, the God-man Jesus overcame it all and, though once dead and in the grave from Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning, is now fully and completely alive.
Each new day, we need to ask God for that resurrection power in our own lives. We need to implore Him to grant us ever more of the Holy Spirit’s divine assistance in helping us become the true disciples we want to, and need to, become. So, let’s not hesitate to ask this day for a great outpouring of resurrection power in our lives.
