Imagine, if you will, considering the fuel that runs most of our society, a gasoline station along the metaphorical road of life. It has two large signs that can be seen from all around. One sign says, “Come on in! Your bill is already paid!” That’s grace—something paid before you ever reach the place where you’re ready for it. The other sign says, “Without doubt, the BEST gasoline in the universe!” That’s power, the chemical necessity to make your car burn its cleanest and most efficient and go its fastest. Grace tells us that we don’t deserve God’s presence in our lives, but it is available to us anyway—prepaid. Power tells us that wonders, signs, miracles, effective prayer, and service with an impact is done in God’s terms and with God’s power—not ours!
But of course, modern society would see such a figurative gas station and say, “My bill is already paid? What kind of gimmick is that? What kind of con are they running? It’s too good to be true!” and keep on driving. Modern society would see such a figurative sign and say, “Best in the universe? Who are they kidding? There are a million brands out there!” and keep on driving. Yes, they do. Because they continually reject the free gift of salvation and God’s constant desire to fill His servants with His Holy Spirit Power by thinking that there must be some other way, there must be some way that I can be smart enough, good enough, dedicated enough, disciplined enough, or emotional enough to feel at peace and accomplish great things. They can’t figure out that the only sure way to find peace and the only sure way to make a difference is to let God have complete control of your life.