power of the Holy Spirit

I recently saw the movie “Limitless.” Although I would not endorse the morals of the lead character nor the gratuitous violence, I found the story intriguing. “Limitless” is about a man who is enabled to access 100% of his brain’s capabilities by taking an experimental drug called MDT. This pill allows him instant mental access to everything he has ever heard, seen or read with computer-like precision. It thereby imbues him with superhuman abilities and provides him the wherewithal to be a success at anything he seeks to do.

This sci-fi thriller is based on the premise that we human beings use only 20% or less of our brain’s power. Thus it is fascinating to think about the possibilities if we were actually able to miraculously use all its available reservoir of power. Nothing would be impossible.

The movie stirred my thinking about a parallel limitless possibility. What would the Christian life be like if we could access 100% of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and power? Imagine having full access to everything the Holy Spirit knows, sees and is doing in any given moment. And better yet, imagine having the ability to release His unlimited power to meet the need and challenge of that moment.

Unfortunately our batting average at connecting fully with the Holy Spirit is about the same or less than our utilization of our brain. It leaves us living life at a level far below the Great Designer’s intention.

Jesus of course is our model of a full-access Spirit-filled life. John the Baptist’s description of Him in the verse quoted at the outset of this article encapsulates the secret to Son of Man’s amazing abilities and power. He was given by His Father unlimited access to the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately our tendency is to dismiss the possibility of living and moving in the Holy Spirit the way Jesus did. We do so because we reason that in addition to being the Son of Man, He was the Son of God. But Jesus consistently made it clear to His followers that a life empowered by full access to the Holy Spirit is a birthright granted to every spiritual son and daughter. (Ephesians 1:14)

And not only that, Jesus also promised that “”anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT) And it was Jesus’ ascension to His Heavenly Father that set the stage for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and empowered the church for a “greater works” ministry.

So why then don’t we see these greater works, especially in our own lives? Why is it that most of the time, we only access a small percentage of the full power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us? There are no easy answers.