Righteousness Consciousness series part 8

Living in the Spirit:

**The Power Within: Knowing, Growing, and Manifesting What God Has Already Given**

One of the most important truths Paul the Apostle ever prayed is found in Ephesians 1:17–19 — and it does not ask God to give believers power. It asks that they would know the power already at work in them.

*"…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ… may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him… and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe…"*

This prayer addresses the real problem in the Church — not the absence of power, but the absence of revelation.

**Revelation, Not Impartation**

Paul is writing to believers — people already saved, already in Christ, already carriers of divine life. Yet he prays for them. Why? Because you can have something and not know it. You can carry power and still live powerless.

The prayer is for wisdom — the ability to understand spiritual reality — and revelation — divine unveiling of what is already true. Spiritual growth is not about getting more from God. It is about seeing what God has already given.

**The Exceeding Greatness of His Power**

Paul shifts from the mind to the eyes of the heart. This is not intellectual knowledge — it is spiritual perception. The believer must see their identity, their inheritance, and their power. Until this happens, power remains dormant and authority remains unused.

To describe this power, Paul stacks words: Dunamis — inherent ability. Energeia — active, operative force. Kratos — ruling strength. Ischus — endowed strength. No single word is sufficient. This power is exceeding, vast, and incomparable — and it is not reserved for the future. It is "to us-ward" — directed toward and working in the believer now. The believer is not waiting for power. The believer is the carrier of power.

Paul explains that this is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him above all principalities. The resurrection is not just history. It is the measure of the power inside you.

**The Core Issue: Lack of Consciousness**

Paul did not pray, "Lord, give them power." He prayed, "Lord, let them know the power." Believers are not powerless — they are unaware. The limitation is not divine supply. It is human consciousness. This is why the Church struggles with fear instead of boldness, begging instead of commanding — not because power is absent, but because revelation is lacking.

Ephesians 3:20 confirms this: *"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."* God's ability operates according to the power already at work within you. The flow is clear — Ephesians 1:17–19: know the power. Ephesians 3:20: experience the power. Revelation produces manifestation.

**The Gap Between Possession and Expression**

Here a vital distinction must be grasped. The presence of power is immediate, but the manifestation of that power is progressive. When a man is born again, he receives the fullness of divine life within his spirit. Yet that power does not automatically reflect outwardly in its fullness. Spiritual growth takes time.

Just as a child is born complete but must grow to function fully, so it is in the spirit. A newborn believer has life, but needs understanding. He has power, but needs training. He has authority, but needs consciousness and experience. Hebrews 5:14 confirms: *"strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised."* Spiritual maturity comes through use, practice, and exercise.

**Grace is Multiplied Through Knowledge**

Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:2: *"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."* Grace is not just given — it is multiplied. And the channel of multiplication is knowledge. Not mere head knowledge, but experiential, revelation knowledge of God and of Christ. The more you know Him, the more grace operates in your life. Victory is not accidental — it is knowledge-driven.

This is why 2 Peter 3:18 commands: *"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."* Growth is not optional. It is a divine expectation.

**The Power Within You is Like a Seed**

The life of God in the believer is inherent and complete, yet progressive in expression. Like a seed — it already contains the full potential of a tree, but that potential must be developed. The tree is in the seed, but not yet manifested. You already carry divine power. You already have the life of God. But your experience of it depends on your growth. Ephesians 4:13 points to the goal — *"unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."* This is the trajectory of every growing believer.

Growth does not happen in isolation. It happens through the Word, through practice, through situations that require faith and dependence on God. Study consistently — light comes through the Word. Meditate — knowledge becomes revelation through meditation. Practice — use what you know, for this is how maturity comes. Yield to the Spirit, who guides you into deeper realities.

**Conclusion**

Regeneration gives you everything. Growth helps you manifest everything. The believer is not empty or trying to become powerful — the believer is already empowered in Christ. But like a seed, that power must be nurtured, that life must be grown, and that authority must be exercised.

The question is no longer: *"Can God do it?"* or *"Do I have power?"*

The question is: *"Have my eyes been opened to see the immeasurable power already at work in me — and am I growing into the fullness of what God has already placed within?"*