Simple, Right?

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [Ephesians 6.10]

How are we doing with this today?

The problem with this question is found in the plethora of scope of answers.

If we base our answer on our own experience with God, then, most of us, will boldly conclude that we are doing a pretty good job.

However, if we base our answer on God's Word, then, I am afraid we may need to be a little more timid in our answer!

Who would be our example of being "strong in the Lord and in His mighty power?" That would be Jesus. As many other strong Christians as the Bible speaks of, we must necessarily look past them and see Christ. And this is what Jesus Christ Himself said:

“I tell you the truth, 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]

And, lest we think the verse above is just an isolated possible mistranslation...

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

Everything Jesus did was by God's strength and mighty power. Everything we are to do is by God's strength and mighty power. And, in so doing, we are to look and act like Jesus.

It is that simple.

And, it is that complex...

To take the time to pray that Jesus took means we cannot be absorbed into the world and its ways. This statement all alone pretty much concludes most of what is wrong with the Church today. We cannot be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power when all our time is spent keeping up with the world and its ways!

To take time to read and study God's Word means we cannot be swayed by anti-Biblical or even extra-Biblical material. And yet, Christians look no different than the world in their quest for worldly knowledge (I mean, after all, we have to keep up, right???). Consequently, when those circumstances arise requiring knowledge to respond, we will (and can) only respond with what knowledge we have. See where this is going? If all we know is medical science, then when sickness or disease presents itself all we have to respond with is medical knowledge. Unfortunately, Jesus did not model such. Instead, He responded in the strength of God and His mighty power (we call it miracles). 

Oh, how complex indeed it becomes for us to break away from worldly thinking and "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

How complex indeed.

Father, help me - help us - to Be strong in You and in Your mighty power.