Power immeasurable because it is power different
Let us read from two very familiar passages each of which will frame God’s power according to its differentness.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5:2-11–ESV)
Moving from the beatitudes to 1 Corinthians read this, too.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7–NASB)
What is the modus operandi taught by Jesus and by Paul in these two passages? It is love first. How well do you respond to injustice? Maybe I should ask this differently: How do you respond to injustice?1 How did Jesus respond during his pseudo-trial? “Like a lamb before its shearers is silent,” right? That is how Isaiah put it (Isaiah 53:7).
These passages reveal God’s first way of responding to injustice. That is how Jesus responded. By extension that is how we are to respond. Does this take power? God’s first power-play, his first resort is patience, kindness, bearing all things, hoping, persevering. That type of power is immeasurable because it is different. It is not about domination.
My first resort is, well, not God’s. I am keen on things like the angels surprising the guards into the shakes.
Take this a step further and ask, Does it not take immense power to self-control, to bear with, to endure?
Martial power is God’s last resort. Love is his first. That is immeasurable power because it is different.
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