Powerful

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” – John 14:12-16

Several Christian brothers and I live in a small faith-based dorm. We each have chosen to come together to grow in faith, in Christian unity, and to serve God's purpose. God led us to start a prayer team to pray for other people's needs. Prayers are being answered daily in miraculous ways, and it is impossible to deny God's power being revealed. Testimonies have poured in as miracles bring faith to the lost and give strength to believers. We have a powerful witness, and we are soldiers fighting for God's kingdom.

On the other hand, living in a confined space is a challenge. We have one shower, one sink, and one toilet for every ten people. Our bunks are packed close together and we do not have seats for everyone who wishes to sit at a table. Oftentimes arguments and disagreements bring tension and even hostilities. We try to mediate every conflict as they occur, yet sometimes resentment simmers and leads to division. One moment we are striving together and the next we cannot stand the sight of each other. We feel angry, defeated, and unfit for the battle that God has called us to. Prayer circle numbers dwindle, and we wonder what happened.

Jesus proclaims in today's text that anyone who believes on Him, loves Him, and keeps His commands will perform greater works than He did. Have you ever contemplated this statement and how amazing that is? We are called to be Jesus' body on earth (Romans 12:4-5), are filled with His Spirit, and have power to do greater works than He did. The Bible says in John 21:25, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written, Amen." Jesus walked on water, healed the blind, lame, leprous, multiplied fish and bread, and we can do greater works? That is difficult for our limited human minds to comprehend, but it is true. God has called us as His powerful warriors to impact this world with His love and to share the gospel.

Do not think you are not included in this calling if you feel weak, unfit, or unworthy because, "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (1Corinthians 1:27).” He has called us not to show our strength and goodness but His. He has given us His power and His purpose.

God has great plans for us all, and that brings us to the question, "If God has plans for me and I have His power, why am I struggling so much and being attacked from every side?" When people are saved or Christians unite in purpose, it seems like divisions and problems soon follow. When this happens, do not doubt or worry, but celebrate, for the greater our calling from God, the greater Satan attacks! Satan knows that there is nothing more powerful than a person standing by faith in God's power – much less a united body. Satan comes after those called by God so powerfully because we are the most dangerous to Him. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy, while Jesus came to give life more abundantly (John 10:10).

In today's text we are given the key to abundant life. Jesus said that we are to keep His commandments. There are over six hundred commandments, but Jesus said they all begin with two: to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our purpose and power come through love. When we love God and others, our prayers are answered, the gospel spreads, and Satan flees. We become powerful!