Topical Bible: Power of Christ: Saints Made Willing By

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The power of Christ is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing His divine authority and ability to transform lives. One of the profound ways this power is manifested is in making the saints willing to follow God's will. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a deep-seated willingness that stems from a renewed heart and mind.

Biblical Foundation

The willingness of the saints is rooted in the transformative work of Christ. In Philippians 2:13, the Apostle Paul writes, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" . This verse highlights that the willingness of believers is not self-generated but is a result of God's active work within them. The power of Christ enables believers to desire and pursue God's purposes.

Transformation Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in making the saints willing. In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances" . This prophetic promise is fulfilled in Christ, who sends the Holy Spirit to indwell believers, transforming their hearts and inclining them toward obedience.

The Example of the Apostles

The apostles provide a vivid example of how the power of Christ makes saints willing. Before the resurrection, the disciples often displayed fear and misunderstanding. However, after encountering the risen Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they became bold witnesses, willing to suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel. Acts 4:31 records, "After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" .

The Role of Grace

Grace is a fundamental aspect of the power of Christ that makes saints willing. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts Christ's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" . This grace empowers believers to overcome their natural inclinations and align their wills with God's purposes. It is through grace that believers find the strength to pursue holiness and service.

The Call to Willing Service

The power of Christ not only makes saints willing but also calls them to active service. Romans 12:1 urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" . This call to service is a response to the transformative power of Christ, which compels believers to live sacrificially and serve others.

Conclusion

The power of Christ is a dynamic force that transforms the hearts and wills of believers. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the example of the apostles, and the sufficiency of grace, saints are made willing to follow God's will and serve His purposes. This willingness is a testament to the profound impact of Christ's power in the lives of His followers.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 110:3
Your people shall be willing in the day of your power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: you have the dew of your youth.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Wilt Thou be Made Whole?
... possible, but has been proved and seen in God's saints from of ... we will fix our eye
on the mighty, living, loving Christ, who speaks in power, "Rise and ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter viii wilt thou be.htm

Written from Rome
... partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ... there is infinite wisdom, compassion,
and power; on the ... thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10 ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 45 written from rome.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
... suppose that a mixed multitude of saints, unconverted sinners ... in the spiritual marriage,
between Jesus Christ and our ... people in the day of God's power, we must ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.htm

All Fulness in Christ
... no more he will exercise the same infinite power to forgive ... Shall not all this make
us praise Christ, since all ... praise thee, O God, but thy saints shall bless ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/all fulness in christ.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in ...
... in the soul, argueth its dominion and prevailing power. ... unto him at the revelation
of Jesus Christ, when he ... a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter v how christ is.htm

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... desire your minds to grasp and grapple with the great thought of the power of Christ,
by which he shall raise and change the bodies of the saints. II. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... form of godliness, and should deny its power in their ... Mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, has ... days faith was dim, for the saints and righteous ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

In the Work of Ministering
... Church labour for the perfecting of the saints' in humility ... do shall he do also.'
Faith in Christ, whose strength ... in our weakness' will give the power for all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xv in the work of.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... when I see hot blood and pride, even in the meetings of the saints; I say it is ... If
you want not this power of Christ, and this wisdom of Christ now, you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm

Christ's Kingly Office
... Some are apt to reproach the saints for their piety ... free grace who were once under
the power and tyranny of Satan, and now of slaves Christ has made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 christs kingly office.htm