Only By His Strength

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Eph. 6:10)    This is NOT saying that YOU dear sisters are to try hard to be strong. In the past I have thought this verse was encouraging me to ‘hang in there’ through difficulties or just  ‘hold it together’ until the catching away (Rapture). (1 Thess 4:13-18) The error with this thinking is WE are the power source: The responsibility and pressure (which is the Law) is on us to ‘hang in there’ or ‘hold on.’ Our flesh is being exalted, rather than trusting God and His Word in us. To access His power and wisdom and be approved of God, we are to allow Him to transform our minds. Only Christ can do this in us as we progress, dwelling on sound doctrine, believing each word. We are to yield, walking it out by faith, staying focused above through the sufferings until we go home.

This is Paul’s ‘final’ admonitionencouraging us to think about what has been taught so far in Ephesians and to apply it. Note, we are NOT to rely on ourselves but get our strength and power from God: “be strong IN THE LORD, and IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.” This enables us to rest, trust, and allow Christ to be our full provision, functionally, He is our armor: “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (I Cor. 1:24) We’re not to struggle to hold on by the skin of our teeth, fearing and worried that we are NOT ABLE and then, inevitably failing. This is a lot of pressure, functioning under the Law of heavy, impossible expectations.

Stop here to skim through the book of Ephesians to be reminded of all God through Christ has already done and given us. He is to be our everything to live resurrection life: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” How? “According to the power that worketh in us.” (Eph. 3:20-21) It is only God in us that “is able.” His Word continually and perfectly provides the measure of Grace empowerment and enablement to be strong through all challenges. Christ the Word dwelling in us is our provision: “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God… Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (II Cor. 9:8,11,15)

Reflect: All Creation, even the angels, are watching us in the roles we play as women. It can be a spectacular manifestation of Christ put on display. He chooses to work in these weak, clay, imperfect vessels, radiating His light. Our part is to yield in faith.