2 Corinthians 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Oh if wishing only made it so. Don’t you want to be like Jesus? We are promised to be conformed in Romans 8:29. But that is conformed to the image, not conformed to Christ. To look like is not the same as being Christ. I have photos of my mom and dad, but they are not my mom and dad.

I wished I had a house. I got a job, saved some money. I made a down payment, got a loan, and found a house. After many years of effort I received the title, the house was mine. If we look at Christ’s perfection in the same way we will do things to attain perfection. The problem is that we look at it from a standpoint of human effort.

Exodus 20:4a Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above,

One of the Ten Commandments says not to make images. Our promise is to be made an image of Christ. How is this any different? Graven, to be made of earthly hands. God Himself is the Potter, we are but the clay. We do not get to mold ourselves, we are molded by God. One of the misconceptions I labored under for years was that I was in control of my progress. I made the decisions, I made the effort and if I failed it was my fault. I would renew my efforts, rededicate myself to more self-control and in the end fail yet again.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

We are changed by obedience of faith, not by human effort.

Acts 3:6 Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Have you ever seen one of those old movies about distant kingdoms where a herald would announce, “I come in the name of the king.” Usually he would have a letter with the royal seal or a signet ring which gave his words authenticity. Whatever the herald said carried the weight and power of the king, in as much as those who heard were subject to that king. They carried no weight outside the kingdom.

The cripple of Acts 3 was begging Peter and John for money. The man received a restored body so that he could earn his way in the world and would no longer have to beg. This was a miracle from God for only God can do miracles. What Peter had was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God and He performed the miracle. Peter in obedience of faith did as he was commanded, to tell the man to arise and walk.

Let me ask you this. Did Peter have to include the phrase “in the name of Jesus Christ” in order for the Holy Spirit to heal the man? Before you answer, remember this. When the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ rob, His response was “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:25) Her faith was enough.

So often we look at the words as if the words hold the power, but they do not. The words were written to remind us who is to receive the glory. God is to be glorified in us, not for us to be glorified in God. It is our obedience of faith in which the Holy Spirit releases His command presence. That command of faith is initialed by God and testified to us through the Holy Spirit. We should not expect the Holy Spirit to act just because we use the words “in the name of Jesus Christ”.

The last thing I want to hear when I pray is; “That doesn’t sound like something my Son would say.”