More Horsepower
Motors are described in several ways. One is by the type of fuel they use to create energy. Electricity, hydrogen, diesel, jet fuel, gasoline are examples. Another category is the method of conversion of the fuel, such as turbine, rotary, internal combustion.
The amount of power that is created by motors is usually measured in horsepower. This term was created before the year 1800 by the Scottish engineer James Watt to compare the power output of steam engines with the power of horses. The Saturn 5 rocket has 5 engines in the first stage, and the power they generate is so great that it is inappropriate to calculate it in horsepower. Its first stage is capable of producing 8 million “pounds of thrust.”
The amount of strength it takes to turn our hearts from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness is beyond human capability. It takes what I call, “outside help, inside.” The measure of one human compared to another can seem to imply that one is stronger than another, because the shift from certain failures or evils seems easier for one than another. None has the power to turn from the death that settles on us because of our carnal minds, though. Grace through the Spirit is required.
The Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead is the engine that has the strength to raise us from the world to being seated in Heaven. The Spirit makes us able to want righteousness and to walk in it (Philippians 2:12-13). He brings the grace sent by Jesus that can turn us into the sons and daughters of God, capable of righteous works that are beyond us.
If I want to know a rocket has the power to put its payload in an orbit, I need to know how much lift power its engine has. If I want to know if you can walk in righteousness, I need to know about your Engine.
The Engine in you that can launch you into a righteous life is the Holy Spirit. The fuel He will burn to convert it to power is self. He is powerful enough to lift you. Your surrender of your self to Him will be the measure of your success. The amount of you that is required to be spent in order to be launched into your destiny is all of you. Your self can’t be denied or realized or activated; it must be surrendered. When He receives your self, He converts it to power. His power is what must be realized.
There is no question regarding whether you have the power to walk in righteousness. You have been given the Holy Spirit as the most powerful engine ever. The question that must be answered is, “Will you?” The amount of self you allow Him to replace with Himself is the amount of fuel you give to the engine. Be filled with Him!
But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me.
(1 Corinthians 15:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©)