Power
Control as Power: The thought that control is power, is an illusion. To control the will of another and force the direction of their life leads only to rebellion. No matter how fiercely one dominates the will of another they will eventually lose their grip. Communism, fascism and cults all base their power structure on absolute control. Control as power, in this sense, might work for a time, but eventually, it will collapse. A good example of raw control as power is exhibited in the animal kingdom. For example, you have a dominant male who is called the alpha, and this alpha subjugates the physically weaker in a group to gain control. This is usually done with violence. Then one day, when the alpha grows old and weak he is challenged by others until he eventually loses his control. This cycle is repeated over and over, which we call the rise and fall. Now think about political systems and other structures where a controlling force is at play. In the end, they might rise and seem unstoppable, but they all ultimately fall. So it’s safe to say control as power is a myth.
Nature of God: When we think about power, there is only one source to look to — Almighty God. God, from the beginning, has always given mankind a choice. Because without the freedom to choose there can be no such thing as love. Many times you will hear people who do not believe in God say, “But if there is a loving God why does he allow the suffering in the world?” The answer is because true love cannot be forced, it must be chosen. When God created Adam and Eve he gave them the power to choose. He gave them instructions not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, yet they chose to disobey and sin entered into the world. Sickness, disease and death are all a result of that choice. God could have made us without the freedom to choose, but if so, we couldn’t have loved Him because we wouldn’t have had a choice in the matter. Remember, true love cannot be forced, it must be chosen. God did not want to have a relationship with mankind based on force, if so, He would have been a tyrant and He is most certainly not that. Instead, God gives us freedom, and with freedom, we can choose to believe or not believe in Him.
True Power: God had every right to destroy mankind. We disobeyed him, followed the path of the devil, made for ourselves our own gods and rejected Him time and time again. Yet, what is God’s response to mankind’s obstinance? He says, I will save those who believe. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” — John 3:16,17. God sends His only Son to pay the price for our sins. God has every right to destroy the world, yet he doesn’t. That’s real power. Power found only in love and mercy. A good example that perfectly articulates the nature of mankind’s relationship with God is found in the parable of the Prodigal Son. All humans are like the young man who goes his own way to only find despair. But, our Father, awaits and rejoices in those who repent and come home. “And He said, “A man had two sons. “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:11–24. This parable illustrates God’s loving-kindness towards those who return to Him. It also shows that it must be our own free choice to return. The great message in this is: no matter how desperate you are, down in the dumps, hurting or in despair, God is always waiting for you to come home. Even if you are a believer and you have fallen out of communication with God. Arise and go home to Him. He is waiting with open arms to embrace you and say, “Welcome home son. Welcome home daughter. I have missed you and I will take care of you.”
(*Likewise, it is also important to point out that even though God is merciful and loving it does not negate a future judgment that all people will encounter on the day of judgment. We have to choose who we will follow but praise God through Jesus’ precious blood we are saved.)
