The “Dunamis” Power of God!

“I stumbled upon this article by Rodney W. Francis and thought it was so imperative for our readers to be exposed to! So I hope you get as much out of it, and a big “ouch” out of it as I did! The Dunamis power of God isn’t new, it’s ancient and God doesn’t need your “newness” of Christianity to defeat the enemy when He already gave you His power tools to do so! ” -Ariel Fuller

The following is an honest attempt to help us to see the need of the “dunamis” power of God to be restored in greater measure in our lives and in the Christian Church in general. For too long this power has been neglected, the power that the Church and the world desperately needs to see in action. My prayer is that we will approach the subject with a very prayerful attitude of heart and mind, and genuinely seek God as to why more “dunamis” is not working in our lives.

“But you shall receive power (“dunamis”) – ability, efficiency and might – when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends – the very bounds – of the earth” (Acts 1:8 AMP.).

“Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or conceive, by the power (“dunamis”) which is at work among us . . .” (Ephesians 3:20 NEB).

The “dunamis” has already been given, but it is only beneficial when it is working – in US!!

“Dunamis” is a Greek word and means:

“act of power” (Young’s); “miraculous power, ability” (Strong’s); “natural capability, inherent power; capability of anything, ability to perform any-thing; then, absolutely, not merely power capable of action, but, power in action” (Bullinger’s).

“Dunamis” is used 121 times in the New Testament and translated into the following English words:

Ability (1) | Power (77) | Abundance (1) | Meaning (1) | Mighty Deed (1) | Mighty Work (11) | Miracle (8)

Strength (7) |  Violence (1) | Virtue (3) | Wonderful Work (1) | Mighty (4) | Worker of Miracles (1)

Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb when the “dunamis” of God came on her: The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power (“dunamis”) of God shall overshadow you; so the baby born to you will be utterly holy – the Son of God” (Luke 1:35   TLB).

An interesting extra thought here is that when the “dunamis” of God is working in our lives it will produce holiness unto God. The “dunamis” power of God sets God’s standard within us, so that all we do and are reflects back to God’s honour and glory. True “dunamis” deals with “sloppy” grace, undisciplined living, unbelief and hardness of heart, etc.

JESUS WAS APPROVED BY THE “DUNAMIS”: 

He carried God’s “stamp of approval” on His life because of the “dunamis” that was working in and through Him:

“You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles (“dunamis”) and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:” (Acts 2 KJV).

TWO THINGS THAT CAUSE CHRISTIANS TO GO INTO ERROR:

Jesus taught that there were two things that caused people to go into error:

1. Not knowing the Scriptures

2. Not knowing the power (“dunamis”) of God (Matthew 22:29 ; Mark 12:24 ).

That, surely, must sober us up enough for us to ask ourselves sincerely:

1. How well do I know the Scriptures?

2. How well do I know the “dunamis” of God?

If we want to keep our lives on that “straight and narrow path that leads to life” (Matthew 7:13-14 ), then we will certainly give priority to what Jesus said!

What are we going to do about these two statements of Jesus?

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of words but of power (“dunamis”)” (1 Corinthians 4:20 , GNB).

God’s will is that His “dunamis” power is actively working in every part of our life. It is the “dunamis” that sets us apart as being different from other religions, peoples and belief systems. Without it we cannot accomplish anything for the glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 where we have a list of God’s top eight priorities for the Church, miracles (“dunamis”) is listed at Number Four. All the ministries listed before it require the “dunamis” operating for them to be effective as well!

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit have to do with the “dunamis” of God. The gift of the Working of Miracles (“dunamis”) is an out and out spectacular working of God’s power (1 Corinthians 12:10 ).According to Paul the gifts operate through “dunamis”:

“For this reason I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, His Spirit fills us with power (“dunamis”), love, and self-control. Do not be ashamed, then . . .”(2 Timothy 1:6-8 GNB).

“DUNAMIS” AND THE PLACE OF TRIALS AND SUFFERING: 

We often wonder why it is that so many good people seem to suffer such difficult and hurtful experiences as they go through life. Our belief systems try to tell us that living for Jesus “delivers” us from all the negatives of life. But that is not so. In fact the Bible clearly links suffering and difficulties as being necessary for the developing of “dunamis” in our lives and ministries: 

God, in His wisdom, has chosen to reveal His power and glory through weak human vessels. The sooner we realize how weak we are, the quicker we will make progress. Jesus told us, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41 ):

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power(“dunamis”) may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV).

GOD’S “DUNAMIS” KEEPS US THROUGH FAITH: 

We have seen throughout this study that “dunamis” is interlocked with several key graces in the Christian life, e.g. holiness, believing, hope, faith, resurrection, power, etc. It is very much a part of Christianity, so much so that without it we are reduced to a realm of powerless religious beliefs, which do nothing for the soul.

Consider these statements:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power (“dunamis”) of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV).

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In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 we are given an accurate description of the heart condition of mankind as we approach the end of the age. In spite of an increasing lawlessness and evil within the heart, people still retain “a form of godliness.” If we read on to the end of that verse we discover that they also “deny the power (“dunamis”) thereof” (KJV). The challenge to every one of us is to examine our own hearts to see whether or not we are measuring up to the standard of what a New Testament, Spirit-filled Christian really is.

• How effectively is the “dunamis” working in us?

• Are we guilty of denying its power?

• What is our “dunamis” gauge reading?

• Is it (1) Working powerfully? (2) Moderately? (3) Slightly? or (4) Not at all?

WAIT UNTIL WE RECEIVE:

Jesus taught us to “wait until” or stay where we were until we received the “dunamis” power from on high (Luke 24:49 ; Acts 1:4 ). Without the “dunamis” actively working in our lives we have no power or authority over our enemies, over sickness or disease, over doubts and fears. With life proving to be so busy and strenuous in these days, it is imperative that we Christians take time to come aside and wait upon the Lord to renew our strength (“power”) (Isaiah 40:31 ). A powerless Christian is a useless Christian. Powerless Christians cause a powerless church to stumble along in life hoping, praying, having a form of godliness, BUT . . . without the “dunamis” power of God! Once we have received that power (through the baptism of the Holy Spirit) we then should learn to activate and do whatever it takes to see the “dunamis” of God working in and out of our lives powerfully and effectively to the glory of God, and the advancement of His Kingdom! 

May the Lord help every one of us to discover how to release the “dunamis” out of our lives, so we can impact our generation for Jesus Christ and His Gospel! Amen

“So how was this post? Comment below and tell us where you are or share your feedback! 

View Rodney W. Francis full article here  and feel free to share this post on social media with others! Click icons below to share!

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