How to Get more Horsepower (in your Christian Life)

Every year auto manufactures comes out with new models. They offer new features, refinements and performance enhancements; but they all tote one main thing… more horsepower. This may be achieved by putting in a larger engine, making re-engineering or adding external assists like a turbo or supercharger; as a Christian we should be the same.. not content with where we are but always looking to making things better.

The disciples made this plea to Jesus

Luke 17:5  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

While there are many things in our lives we are to be content with… our walk with God shouldn’t be one of them. We should have a desire to be better Christians growing closer to God. 

Where does your power come from?

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

So many Christians today do not realize the power they have access to. We live everyday based on the circumstances around us rather than the power we have from within.  Continuing within our example: when I drive a car the power is not mine, but the car’s. I have access to this power when I am in the drivers seat. Just as a Christian; the power we have access to is not our own, but God’s… we just need to hit the accelerator.

Have you ever seen someone driving down the road? The have a Mustang or Corvette and they are driving slower than the posted speed limit, backing traffic up… You know they have access to some horsepower… they just won’t use it.
The same holds true to those who always say they can’t do the things of God.. and it is true that in their own power they don’t have the ability. As a Christian though we are not to do things in our power; but in God’s… Isn’t it time to downshift and put God’s power to work for you?

Isaiah 40:29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

How do I increase my Horsepower? 

When is the last time you did a tune-up?

1.  First step of any tune-up is to read the owners manual 

Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

The Bible has everything we need to know to properly maintain our relationship with God. The trick is to read it. When I worked in the automotive industry the most frustrating calls I would receive were from owners who didn’t read their owners manual. As Christians the same holds true… we are not operating ourselves to maximum efficiency because we have not read our owners manual.

2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

2.  Part of a good tune-up is to inspect your vehicle regularly. 

2 Corinthians 13:5a  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 

Sometimes there are things that wear faster and can lead to failure but because they are not easily seen we often neglect them until it is too late. That is why an inspection needs to be done on a regular bases to help reveal those problems before they lead to a break-down. When is the last time you inspected your heart? Have you grown to be closer to God today than yesterday?

3.  Finally… nothing feels better than a nice drive after it’s all cleaned up

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Yes… Leather conditioned, paint is shiny, interior is clean… that’s a great feeling. You just want to drop the top down and go for a cruise.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Our sin is gone, our soul is clean before all the world, we are showroom ready. But just as a new car can get dirty we don’t go out and get a new car… we get the new car CLEANED… 1 John 1:9 does not deal with someone that is lost but rather the saint that sins after they are saved. God said He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us, we simply need to ask. So get out the leather cleaner and get strutting, let all the world see what God has done for you.

Sometimes you get those who brag about having horsepower… but really it’s all show…

Jude 1:16  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

Conclusion

The disciples said “Lord, increase our faith” and through the scriptures we learn that:

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

You get more Horsepower by taking your car to see the mechanic regularly, keep it cleaned and tuned up…  Just like as a Christian we need to come to church regularly, keep our hearts and minds clean, read our Bibles and pray. 

Perhaps your not getting any horsepower because you’ve never taken the wheel. 

Perhaps you’ve just sat in the car… but never turned the key. Let me invite you to take you for a test drive… learn how much horsepower you can have through Jesus Christ. Click Here