Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Power and Restraint

CROSS PURPOSES 106

21st November 2007

Power and Restraint

Hi Guys, Fred here.

The Sydney Morning Herald of November 16th 2007 had an article about the election by it’s political editor, Peter Hartcher. In that article he quoted former US Secretary of State Colin Powell. The quote goes like this

“The former US general and secretary of state, Colin Powell, has a favourite quote. It’s from Thucydides: “Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.” Powell elaborated: “The more powerful you are, the more people want to trust you with that power. They would hate to not trust you with that power.”

Without a doubt Powell is right about the psychology of the way the governed think and feel in their hearts towards those who are in power. It’s why we hate it when we are lied to, manipulated, played for fools, treated like idiots. We respect those who come clean with us and are upfront with us. May Jesus Christ bless your voting, whatever way you vote. Vote in good faith according to your faith and conscience and he will bless you.

This Cross Purposes is not about the election though. It’s about that son who was entrusted with power on earth as he went about his fathers business. He was faithful – to the bitter end of his human life – faithful unto death – to everything his father wanted said and done. This has consequences for us.

As Jesus life is restored he receives “all authority in heaven and on earth” and Jesus becomes the one “before whom every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess…” This is truly the One to Fear. But there is good news here. For those who fear him in the right way, who trust him, who revere his name, Paul has a word of comfort. Here it is:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

See, God in Christ Jesus is for us. He has power and authority which is being used “for us”, for our good, for our faith, comfort, forgiveness, restoration and vision.

My challenge to you this week is to absorb and digest what Paul is praying for you and me in Ephesians 1: 18-23
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Have a good week, Christmas is coming, be at peace!

Fred

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

My favourite politician quote is:
"anyone who wants to be a politician shouldn't be allowed to be one"

Apart from that, I enjoy your thoughtfulness and insights.

Brian

8:43 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home