As Much As You Allow

 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

— Ephesians 3:20 

 

Many people only use the first part of this verse and omit the part that says “according to the power that works in us.” This change in the verse completely alters its meaning. Although God has the power to do “exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think,” God chooses not to work independently of us. Instead, He flows through us because of the laws of authority that He established. If the Lord were accomplishing His will without the power that’s working in us, things would be much better than they are. Unbelief limits the power of God in us, and no power working in us means there will be no power coming through us.

We don’t “use” God’s power; instead, He uses us to live through us. However, when we live for God out of a sense of obligation, we serve Him from our own strength rather than His. On the other hand, when we allow Him to live through us, we serve Him out of the fruit of our faith in Him. We recognize that in our weakness, He is strong. Serving Him becomes a privilege, and His power is unhindered. He does far more than we could ever imagine or ask.

 

Christ has gifted us with a transformed life. He traded our sins for His righteousness. We are reborn. The old self has died. We have received His righteousness. When we surrender our will, reasoning, and understanding to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide and empower us, Christ, who dwells within us, lives through us. We serve Him through His power that resides within us. Serving Him flows from faith rather than obligation. It becomes a joy because nothing rests on our ability. Everything rests on Him.

 

Yes, God does far more than we can ever ask or imagine. He accomplishes His work through us when we surrender to His work of righteousness within us. God doesn’t want us to be exhausted by our obligations. Instead, He desires our fulfillment in His finished work of grace. 

 

Surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit is your decision. But God’s work is not yours to perform; it is His work that you allow to manifest within you. You must allow the Holy Spirit to work in you. When you give the flesh access, you deny God’s power within you. However, when you surrender yourself to His Spirit, He accomplishes what your flesh can never do. Surrendering means that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is flowing in your life. Surrendering means you give God permission to impart whatever spiritual gift He has chosen for you. 

 

Your surrender isn’t a selective one. Don’t resist the Holy Spirit’s plans for your life. Don’t let fear hold you back. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and empower you in ways you’ve never experienced before. Embrace the challenges He presents, and let Him reveal Himself to you.

 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 3:20).

 

You are God’s masterpiece, reborn as a new creation through Christ’s redeeming work. In union with Jesus, He has created you for a life of good works, which He has already prepared for you. He has a perfect plan for your life, but He doesn’t force it upon you. You must choose to let God use you.

 

It’s not you who works; it’s Christ within you. Do you believe God can do more than you can imagine? He will do so to the extent of your faith and surrender. When you believe Him, you’ll allow His power to work in you. His power is the same as the resurrection power that brought Jesus back from the dead. Trust what the Holy Spirit reveals in His Word, believe His promises, and stand on them. Then, take steps of faith. 

I pray from His glorious, unlimited resources that the Holy Spirit will empower you with His inner strength and power, and you, being rooted and grounded in His love, will experience God working in your life exceedingly and abundantly above all you ask or think. 

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