The Power Of A Life

The Power of a Life

The earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11:9

IN WORD One man came into the world empowered by the Spirit of God, full of faith and obedience, passionate about the will of God, and zealous about making right the things that are wrong—that’s how the Branch is described in Isaiah 11—and the world has never been the same. Nor will it ever be the same.

We tend to think that the Messiah’s reign is simply the result of His being the Messiah, a natural outgrowth of His identity. But it’s more than that; it’s the supernatural result of a life wholly committed to God. The reason the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord is that someone holy and pure came and demonstrated the knowledge of the Lord. As we follow Him and are being made in His likeness, that knowledge spreads. Eventually, it will be as extensive and complete as the water that covers the sea.

The Messiah’s reign is still expanding, and we have the awesome privilege of participating in its growth. To the extent that we, like Jesus, live out our knowledge of God, the world gets a glimpse of that knowledge. To the extent that we, like Jesus, are empowered by the Spirit, full of faith and obedience, passionate about God’s will, and zealous about righting wrongs, we’ll cover the earth with His glory. We can bear the image of the Messiah just like He did.

IN DEED Does that sound like too bold a claim? Jesus told His disciples they would be like Him, be filled with His Spirit, be sent on His mission, and do His works. If we think it’s too bold to claim His image, we’re choosing to ignore His words. The knowledge of God will cover the earth because Jesus’ disciples will cover the earth.

Live as an image-bearer. That’s how we were created in the Garden, and that’s what Jesus redeemed us for. The world needs people who will be like Jesus in every way, full of faith and truth. The power of God changes lives through lives that have been changed to be like Him.

Be much with the solid teachings of God’s word. . . . They shall produce in you a Christ-likeness at which the world shall stand astonished.

—CHARLES SPURGEON