Kendall the Fire

Recently, one of our Mid-America Christian University students participated in a weightlifting competition. The category of competition was the deadlift—where a contestant tries to lift up off the ground a barbell with the highest amount of weight possible. The weight must be held at waist level until a bell sounds to mark the feat of strength. The concept is simple, but doing it is obviously incredibly difficult. Our young competitor, Riley, won the local competition for his age group (among those who were willing to submit to a drug test). This accomplishment ranks him among the top 20 nationally in his category. What impressed me was the sheer power required to accomplish such a triumph.

The concept of power and strength in the New Testament Greek is captured by the word δύναμις (dunamis). At its root, this word conveys the capacity to get things done. It can mean raw ability (“power, might, strength”) or the result of that ability (“deed, miracle, wonder”). Many have, no doubt, heard that this Greek word is the basis for our English word “dynamite.” It can also refer to the entity that possesses this power (“power” as a supernatural entity). The idea gains great theological significance when it is applied to God. Paul uses the word to speak of the “power of God” to bring salvation to those who have faith in Christ (Romans 1:16–17).

Similarly, the message about Christ’s death on the cross is the “power of God” to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18). In the Gospels, the word regularly refers to the powerful acts Christ performed to prove His power to save. In the Triumphal Entry, the disciples praised God for the “powerful deeds” they had seen Jesus do (Luke 19:37). The Holy Spirit, whom God graciously gives to believers, is not meek, timid, or fearful but powerful and capable (2 Timothy 1:7). God has the strength to bring the salvation He promises. Jesus is able to save those who trust in Him. The Holy Spirit is able to form us into the image of Christ. God’s work for us and in us cannot be thwarted.

There is something else I want us to think about, however. A lot of upheaval is going on in the world right now. It seems to fit in with the New Testament concept of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). If we hold onto the knowledge that our God is powerful, we can rest assured that—when all is said and done—He is powerful and capable of doing what He desires to do in this world. No one can stand against Him. He will accomplish what He wills. Knowing that God is powerful also has an important application: He can be trusted because He can do what He says.

[Credit Dr. Michael Burer, dean of faculty and professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, for information on the Greek word “dunamis.”]