How To Benefit From the Power of God

Understanding God's Attributes and Their Benefits

There’s often a disconnect in many people’s lives between the attributes of God and how we benefit from them. Attributes of God are those characteristics that make up who He is. We know some already: He is omniscient—all knowing; omnipresent—everywhere at once; and omnipotent—all powerful.

When we think about the power of God, we can see it in creation. In Genesis, God created existence from non-existence by simply speaking: “Let there be light,” and there was light. We see His power in sunsets, rolling mountains, snow-capped peaks, green valleys, and the expanse of the universe. To behold these and not sense a powerful Creator is to deny God.

But there’s one specific focus on the power of God that surpasses creation—the power we can benefit from personally.

Eph. 1:18-23: The Prayer for Enlightenment

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:18-23)

The eyes of the heart refer to the private, internal you—not physical eyes. Paul prays that you grasp, in the deep recesses of your life, the hope of God’s calling and the riches of His inheritance in the saints. Being a Christian holds far more value and purpose than life without Christ.

You’ve been freed from sin’s slavery into true freedom—the ability to enjoy God. Christ’s blood ransomed you from sinful living into relationship with God. There is true hope and riches in salvation, holiness, and eternal life. What you have in Christ is infinitely more valuable than anything outside of Him.

The Surpassing Greatness of His Power

Verse 19 highlights the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe—working through the strength of His might. This power is active, not idle, and directed specifically at believers.

The focus is verse 20: This power, brought about in Christ, raised Him from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand. All blessings, including benefiting from God’s power, come only in Christ.

The resurrection is the most important event in history—the gospel. Eyewitness accounts confirm it, but the key is that this same power is for you. Creation reveals a Creator (Rom. 1), but it’s insufficient for salvation. We were dead in trespasses and sins—like rotting corpses, worthless and unable to enjoy God or life.

Yet God raised Jesus from death’s grip, and that same undiminished power works in you: granting spiritual life, pulling you from the tomb like dry bones in Ezekiel, restoring muscle, ligaments, skin—new life. He was raised for your justification (Rom. 4:25).

The greatest tragedy is not trusting this power, not relying on it, not recognizing where it leads. This power works against sin for holiness. Resisting it—like grasping rocks in a powerful river—is futile and miserable. Flow with it, and it carries you to the ocean of God’s enjoyment.

Christ’s Exalted Authority

Paul doesn’t stop at resurrection power. Verse 21: Christ is seated far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name—not just now, but in the age to come. All things are under His feet. He is head over all things to the church, His body.

This power saves you, draws you into deeper fellowship with God, and places Christ as your sovereign Lord. Submit to Him as under a commanding officer. The Christian living outside Christ’s Lordship will not succeed.

The most successful, enjoyable place is bowed low to Christ’s sovereignty. He rules with absolute justice and mercy—for your greatest good. Bowing to Him opens the door to a greater life.

The Fullness of Christ

Verse 23: Christ is head of the church, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Feeling empty or like you’re missing something? Jealous of others’ apparent success? Turning to sin, relationships, or substances for fulfillment?

We all crave to be filled, satisfied. Like being dehydrated after vomiting—clawing for sips through a tiny straw, then finally gulping freely. A life without Christ hurts like dehydration. Drinking Him in satisfies like hydration coursing through veins.

Jesus offers a permanent well in your soul (John 4). Experience all of Christ in all of your life—not partial hydration while the rest dies. Moments of emptiness signal the need for Christ as Lord over every area.