We are meant to operate in power.

Jesus said that if we believe, we would do the same stuff that He did and even greater works than He did. (Jhn 14:12) The power of God is all part of living in the kingdom — healing the sick, delivering from depression and despair, even raising the dead. Jesus was our example, so nothing is off-limits.

But displays of power are not to impress anyone. Even when Jesus was being tempted by the devil, He did not give in to displaying the power of God just to satisfy the devil’s twisted demand for entertainment. Jesus never did a miracle that didn’t bless someone.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. (ICor 6:12) The focus should always be to glorify God and bless others. The disciples understood that they had power, but they didn’t understand what it was for. Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did? (Luk 9:54)  Jesus was not impressed. But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.

I look forward to the day when the church rises up to move in the power that is available to us. But we need to live with wisdom and humility to know how to use it.