Scotty, We Need More Power
You Trekkies remember that phrase in so many of the early Star Trek episodes, “Scotty, we need more power.” Many days I wish that Scotty lived in one of our extra bedrooms and I could call down for some more power.
Jesus promised Holy Spirit dynamite power in Acts 1:8, but I just might be that firework that you call a dud. This power vacuum has caused me to rethink where the real power lies in the Christian life.
The Apostle Paul gives a clarion call to the Christians at Galatia to stop trying to source their power through their works. In essence, he says, “You foolish Galatians, you will never ‘good’ your way into Heaven.” In the second chapter, verse 20, Paul identifies a Christian’s power grid. His answer is personal with seven personal pronouns in one verse and counter-intuitive, against the grain of our wooden culture.
Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” There is a reason this is a life verse for so many Christ-followers because it is the meta-narrative of the Christian life, rich in power, and will take a lifetime to integrate.
Paul starts by explaining the power source is found when your life is crucified. This involves putting to death our “pet sins,” crucifying our thirst for status and facing our love affair with self. We are so intoxicated with self-expression that we have lost the sobriety of self-restraint, letting the Spirit of God have his way in our daily life.
Paul reminds us that Christ must live our life as we surrender to him. We Americans hate the word “surrender.” The French flag may be solid white, but ours is red, white and blue, baby. Time to be Biblical, not patriotic. Power is sourced when we accept the fact that we have no power to live the Christian life apart from Jesus living through us each day.
Paul finishes the verse in a personal manner. He declares the glories of the Gospel that saved Saul on a Roman road. Stop trying to earn the points through legalism to purchase your power. Don’t choose paint-by-numbers righteousness rather than letting the finished work of the Gospel color your life.
Crucify self, surrender to Jesus, and preach the Gospel to yourself each time the sun rises.
The next move is yours.
