STRENGTH in Weakness

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

The word strength and its derivatives are mentioned over 360 times in the Bible, applying to both natural and supernatural strength. The Greek word katei means “power, strength, might.” In the Bible, strength is mentioned by Paul. He tells us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul is telling us that the unlimited power and strength of Christ are the source of strength for those who belong to Him.

As Christians, we are to be strong in the mighty power of God. This means that our strength is not our own; it is not human or fleshly. Our strength is not of the world, but our strength is found in Christ—in our having a vibrant, dynamic relationship with Him. As Paul tells us in Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). In other words, there is no other source that gives man the strength to overcome the world with its trials, its temptations, and death. It is through submission to God’s strength that we overcome the power of Satan: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). 

It is by first aligning ourselves with the strength of God through our total submission to Him that we are able to withstand the wiles of the evil one: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Bound up in the idea of finite man relying on the strength of God to overcome, to press on and to persevere, is the reality that man can in no way save himself. Only God does that. Paul makes this abundantly clear in his letter to the Ephesians: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). These two verses are the most forceful summary of the dynamics of salvation found anywhere in the Bible. They help us to understand the contrast of man’s total helplessness with that of God’s insuperable strength.

It is a gross fallacy to believe that in our own strength we can save ourselves. The Bible makes it clear that we’re not saved by our works, by our own volition, or by the number of good things we do. But the chief reason that our salvation is not by our strength, but from God, is the utter sinfulness of man as compared with the transcending standard of the righteousness and excellence of God. It is essentially a contrast which we cannot comprehend. God’s righteousness is beyond us. His is radical.

God has taken upon Himself the responsibility for our salvation because only He has the strength to do so. He has promised to reveal to the world His power and His might. This is what happens whenever the Spirit of God comes into the heart of a sinner. 

When we finally come to acknowledge Him as our Savior and admit our total helplessness and dependency upon Him, then will we come to know of His strength, His power, and His might.

The Truth will set you free...

Committed disciples of Christ must learn to rely on God’s Word for guidance in living.  Nothing of this world, none of its collective knowledge or so called wisdom is sufficient for establishing and sustaining our relationship with God.  Only the Bible His Truth, provides the road map for following Christ.  God’s Word equips and empowers us to truly take up our cross and follow Christ.  

There are many Christian denominations today that pitch a cheap grace... that preach all you have to do is believe and you will be saved, nothing else is required.  God’s plan of salvation is not cheap, acceptance comes with personal commitment followed by a willingness to sacrifice everything for a relationship with Jesus.  Simply believing is not enough. 

God’s Holy Word, the Bible is our road map, our blueprint for living as a devoted and passionate Christian.  Living as God requires, immersed in His Truth, might not always be glamorous.  It fact, you will experience periods of your life in Christ that are mundane and boring.  All I can say to that... change your attitude... realign your perspective.  Don’t resort to seeking out things wrapped in the name of Christianity that may seem inspirational and exciting but are contrary to the teachings of truth.  

Never look back once you become a Christian.  Look first upward for guidance and downward for your path forward.  Do not sacrifice the things God has provided to strengthen and protect you.  Be in fellowship at every opportunity.  Like minded believers are our greatest asset in our journey with Christ.  There is power in the body of Christ.  Together, all Christians can strengthen one another for a life in Christ that brings honor to our God.

The apostle Paul understood what it meant to be a disciple of Christ.  Galatians 2:20 says... "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

So let us never forget that the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ can be difficult but in the end it is worth it all.   

...and keep you free!  

There’s Great Power in Your Being... Use it!

There is uncommon power available to us through God, The Holy Spirit.  Uncommon faith is believing that we can receive strength when we are weak and that we can be instruments of that strength when those around us are being consumed by the the ungodly world.  

If you are a Christian, you are stronger than you think you are.  You just need to start tapping into the spiritual strength that God wants to give you!

Christians should live day-by-day, one day at a time, in God’s strength.  But often they turn their focus from living in His strength, to living in the world’s strength.   Often, unwittingly, they allow the enemy to build a fortress, a stronghold in their lives that can overpower their focus on the things of God. 

No one can live the Christian life in his own strength. Yet so many people try to do just that. They know God has saved them, but in living, they believe a life that pleases Him is possible only through their efforts. They are unwilling to give up the things of the world that hold them captive.  

Each day is a battle.  Treat each day like you are in a fight for the security of your eternal soul.  Satan wants to destroy you, but God wants you to want to let Him help you live a victorious life in Christ.

Each and every day, we should commit ourselves to God and ask Him to live through us that day. That will take a lot of work.  A lot of prayer and intense focus on the goodness, purity and holiness of God.  We will still experience temptation and adversity.  But you will grow in dependence on His power, knowing that He walks with you.  We do not have to face the things of this world in our own strength.  

Who is in charge of your life—you or Jesus Christ?  

Do you have strongholds that control you, that must be ripped apart? If you are wise, you will allow the Son of God to direct you each and every day. Let Him give you guidance, direction, and power to make godly choices. Does that mean you will escape all problems, heartaches, and burdens? Not a chance. Nor does it mean that you will never sin again. But you won’t have to struggle on your own. Instead, you can walk in the power of the living God—and that is life at its very best.

The Knowledge and Wisdom of God in Your Life

The knowledge of the world and the knowledge of God are so different.  The knowledge of the world is alluring, deceptive, incomplete.  The knowledge of God is true and pure and leads to a life well lived.  Which foundation do you want to build your life on?

The strong in this world are temporarily glorified by submitting to the ungodly influences of its ruler, Satan. But the truth of God is seen through giving power to the weak for dynamic Christian living. God does it by transforming, renewing and increasing the strength of those who take refuge in Him. Where the world forces you down and entraps you in bondage, God lifts up, frees and rebuilds.  Eternity hangs in the balance – between a life lived fully in Christ and one that flirts with the ways of the world.

Faith is the foundation of our lives and it’s what strengthens us.  But living the Christina life is not an easy journey.  It can be very hard. It’s fraught with peril and pitfalls.   Our old, sinful nature continually battles against the Spirit, causing us to fall into sin. (Gal 5:17)  Remember, Satan doesn’t want you to be victorious in Christ.

We build the foundation of our lives with a host of flawed ideas and attitudes.  We try and blend them with our Christian values... but that’s like oil and water... they don’t mix.  Strongholds and fortresses grow in our lives that hold us back and blunt our desire to be “all in” in serving the Lord and living up to His standards.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)  The Christian life isn’t something only to be professed, it’s also something to be lived.  Lived the right way to please God. True faith, is more than holding theological knowledge – it’s living what you know.  It produces works of love, it purifies the heart, and overcomes the knowledge and influences of the world.

What you know of God, is more than just belief.  What you know should affect how you live.  Knowing God, the things of God, His wisdom are not ideas to be casually or selectively embraced.  

His Truth is to be the total foundation for all you are and how you live.  God’s Word is “living and powerful”, a “light to our path”, and is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness.” (Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16)

Overcoming Bad Habits and Addictions

It's Your Choice.  God has given us a free will. We choose whether to subject ourselves to bad habits and addictions (Rom. 6:16-18).

Therefore, we have the power to control ourselves and avoid sinful behaviors, and thus break bad habits and addictions.

Difference Between Habit And Addiction
Simply stated, an "addiction is a loss of control and freedom, while a habit is something that is donned or assumed, perhaps often, but that can nevertheless be removed if desired".  Anything that has control over us is an addiction. For example: If you must have coffee to function, it is an addiction; but if you freely choose to drink coffee every day, it is a habit.

All Addiction is Sinful.  Sinful behaviors are sinful, whether or not they're an addiction. For example: Illegal drug use and pornography are sinful, whether they're addictions or not.  Lawful behaviors, on the other hand, can become sinful in certain circumstances. One of those circumstances is addiction. If a lawful behavior becomes an addiction, then it is a sin. The Apostle Paul says, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Cor. 6:12).

Stay Away From Sinful Behaviors.  If we have a godly attitude, we will stay away from sin. Thus, we'll never involve ourselves in sinful behaviors that are highly addictive.  Paul sets forth this idea in these Scriptures:

• 1 Th. 5:21-22 "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil."
• Rom. 12:9 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."
• 1 Cor. 15:33 "Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals."

If we abstain from everything remotely connected with sin, abhorring even the thought of it, we'll never become addicted to sinful behaviors.  For example: If you never take a drink of alcohol, you'll never become an alcoholic. If you never look at pornography, you'll never become addicted to pornography.

Exercise Self-Control.  To avoid and overcome bad habits and addictions, we must exercise self-control.  Jesus teaches us to deny ourselves, and take up our cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). To do this, we must control our mind, by which we control our bodies. He says, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders" (Matt. 15:19).

Paul expresses these thoughts with an athletic metaphor, saying, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable" (1 Cor. 9:24-25).  Like an athlete, we must exercise self-control in all things. If we do, we'll control our minds, which controls our bodies, and overcome bad habits and addictions.

Walk By The Spirit.  If we walk by the Spirit, we'll avoid and overcome bad habits and addictions. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22). Since we walk by the Spirit, we exercise control over sin, bad habits, and addictions.

We walk by the Spirit because we belong to Christ, having crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24). We don't engage in bad habits and addictions because Christ doesn't engage in sin.  We've been crucified with Christ, who lives in us; and the life which we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself up for us (Gal. 2:20).

The Power of God in Our Lives.  Walking by the Spirit, God's empowers us to avoid and overcome bad habits and addictions. We're empowered by God's word and prayer.

• Rom. 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. . . ."
• 1 Th. 2:13 ". . . the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."
• 1 Pet. 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

As Christians, we have the ability to control our bodies with our minds, empowered by God's word and blessed with answered prayers.

Avoiding and overcoming bad habits and addictions isn't a question of ability, it's a question of desire.