by David Duran

Power has always enamored human beings. Control, authority, and influence over others are traits which appear to be intrinsic to us all. From the beginning of biblical history, we find accounts of people seeking to exalt themselves in order to gain power. Of the various reasons for the fall in Genesis 3, a desire for power is certainly one of them. A yearning to be like God and hunger for power was at the core of the serpent’s lie to Eve (Gen. 3:15). The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 connotes power. The motivation for building the tower was an attempt for the builders to make a name for themselves (Gen. 11:4). They wanted to be recognized for their achievements; the manifestation of their pride was an outward desire for power.

While I doubt I need to convince you of this fundamental human desire, allow me to mention a few more biblical examples. Pharaoh exercized pride and power by refusing to release the Israelites from slavery.  (see Ex. 7-14). Absalom attempted to gain power by planning a coup against his own father, King David (2 Sam. 15). James and John asked to sit at Christ’s right and left hand, a sign of power and status (Mark 10:35).. 

Nevertheless, a desire for power is not antithetical to the virtue of humility. In fact, I think that the universal human desire to rule and reign is God-given and intrinsic to our humanity. The Bible, in a number of places, speaks to this reality, and its direct application to God’s people.

In Genesis 1, God uses the words “dominion” and “subdue” to describe humanity’s role in the world. God’s people are told of a time when “the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole of heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High” (Dan. 7:27). Paul reminds the believers at Corinth that they will judge angels (1 Cor. 6:3). Revelation 22:5 states that believers “…will reign forever and ever.” The desire for power, to rule and reign, to have dominion and subdue the earth, is not an inherently sinful desire. It actually says something about the eschatological reality for the people of God. The danger is when desiring power is divorced from the one who personifies humility and power.

The human craving for power actually finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, and at the same time, the virtue of humility blossoms. When one is united to Christ through faith, they are assured that they will rule and reign with him forever and ever (Rev. 22:5). Moreover, Christians receive a taste of the power of God when they receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). In a real way, Christians experience God’s power through regeneration. We experience God’s power as we commune with him in prayer, Bible reading, corporate worship, and partaking in baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These foretastes of God’s power that come through our experience of him remind us of the power that is ours in Christ.

It would be easy for these truths to lead to arrogance among the people of God. Unfortunately, pride often follows power. But the proper response experiencing God’s power is never pride or vanity–it is modeling profound humility. 

There is no greater example of this than in the life of Jesus. The God-man Jesus Christ, the one who is truly God and truly man, “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil.2:7). He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8.) He was betrayed and abandoned by his friends (Matt. 26:47-50, 69-75). He was beaten and mocked (Jn. 19:1-3). He suffered the brutal death of crucifixion (Jn. 19:17-18). In all of this, he never responded in anger or lacked humility. Although he possessed more power than the world had ever known, Jesus modeled humility to the cross.

Here the power of Jesus is portrayed vividly: the resurrection of Jesus is the power of God on display. The humble one has been exalted (Phil. 2:9). It is in and through his death and resurrection that Jesus displays his rule and authority (Col. 2:15). The risen Christ is reigning in power (1 Cor. 15:25). All authority in heaven and on earth belong to him (Matt. 28:18). Humility and power exist perfectly in the person of Christ.

Christians, recognizing the present and future power they possess in Christ, have ample reason to participate in Christ’s abundant humility. The Holy Spirit dwells within us now, both as the body of Christ and as individuals (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20), and it is the Spirit that guarantees our future inheritance (Eph. 1:14). Our eternal rule and reign with Christ is secure. Followers of Jesus need not exalt themselves, our savior has already done so.

David Duran is a church planter in Plymouth, MA with SEND Boston and Harbor Network. He holds a M.Div from Liberty University and is currently pursuing a Master of Ecclesial Theology from Emmaus Theological Seminary. David is married to Margot, and together they have three children.

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