Power Without the Cross

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." — Matthew 6:10

The Stumbling Block of the Ages

There is one sentence in the Lord's Prayer that we recite constantly and resist entirely:

"Thy will be done."

Not my will. God's will.

It sounds simple. It is the stumbling block of the ages, and our sinful flesh finds it almost impossible to carry out.

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9–10)

That is where Jesus put it — near the beginning, before any request for bread.

What We Actually Want

We pray for power, but lack obedience. We want power without fire.

There is a great deal of teaching about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a great deal of waiting and seeking for it. And very often the same brothers and sisters who are seeking it are entirely unwilling to deal with self and with the sin in their lives.

That combination is the problem. Power is attractive. Fire is not, because fire consumes.

There is no substitute for holiness and total commitment in the life of a servant of God. None. No amount of anointing compensates for its absence, and no manifestation proves its presence.

Ministering to Be Seen

There is a related failure worth naming: too many minister out of a desire to draw attention to themselves rather than to the Lord.

Nobody says that out loud, and almost nobody is fully aware of it in themselves. It hides underneath genuine gifting and genuine sincerity, and it is only exposed when the platform is withdrawn.

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another." (Isaiah 42:8)

Who are we to think we can share in God's glory or receive credit for God's work?

The Order That Cannot Be Reversed

Here is the principle underneath this whole section:

We cannot have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives without first having the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Power without fire is either counterfeit or catastrophic. Counterfeit because it is not from God at all, or catastrophic because genuine power in an uncleansed vessel destroys the vessel and everyone near it.

We have watched that happen often enough in our own generation to stop pretending otherwise.

Point to Ponder

Power is attractive. Fire is not, because fire consumes. That is exactly why we want one and not the other.

Verse to Remember

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another." — Isaiah 42:8

Question to Consider

Am I seeking power from God while avoiding what He wants to burn out of me?

Today's Practice

Examine your motives where they are hardest to see.

Ask yourself these questions in writing, and answer them honestly:

  • When I serve, do I hope people notice? Not would I admit it — do I?
  • How do I feel when someone else is used and I am not? That reaction tells you more than your intentions do.
  • What have I asked God for in the last year? Look at the actual content of your prayers. How much was for power, effectiveness, or opportunity — and how much was for cleansing?
  • If God offered me either an anointing or a thorough burning-out of my sin, which would I choose?

Then pray the Lord's Prayer slowly, one phrase at a time, and stop at "Thy will be done." Sit there. Say it until you notice what in you resists it.

That resistance is the material for the next lesson.

Prayer

Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done — and I say that sentence knowing that most of me does not mean it.

I have wanted power. I have wanted to be effective, and useful, and noticed. I have prayed for anointing far more often than I have prayed for cleansing.

I want power without fire, and You do not give it that way — for my sake as much as for Yours.

So burn instead. Whatever You must consume in me to make me safe to use, consume it. I would rather be small and clean than powerful and false.

And guard me from wanting credit. Your glory You will not give to another, and I have quietly wanted some of it. Forgive me.

Not my will, but Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Genuine power in an uncleansed vessel destroys the vessel and everyone near it. We have watched it happen.