{"id":90646,"date":"2021-03-10T14:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T19:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keriritenour.com\/grace\/strong-in-christ\/"},"modified":"2023-10-06T22:18:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T02:18:48","slug":"strong-in-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keriritenour.com\/grace\/strong-in-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Strong in Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our strength\nis found in Christ\u2014in our having a vibrant, dynamic relationship with Him. As a\ndirect result of our relationship, it is Christ who empowers us to do whatever\nis necessary to accomplish God\u2019s will for our lives: \u201cI can do all things through Christ who\nstrengthens me<\/strong>\u201d (Philippians 4:13<\/strong>). There is no other source that\ngives man the strength to overcome the world with its trials and temptations,\nthereby fulfilling the call of Christ upon our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word\nstrength and its derivatives are mentioned over 360 times in the Bible,\napplying to both natural and supernatural strength. The Greek word \u2018katei\u2019<\/em> means \u201cpower, strength, might.\u201d\nIn the Bible, strength is often linked to God\u2019s power. Believers are to \u201cbe strong in the\nLord and in his mighty power<\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians 6:10<\/strong>). The unlimited power of Christ is\nthe source of strength for those who belong to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s\nstrength in the Bible is readily seen in many of His works. He created the\nworld and all that is in it with the power of His word. He parted the Red Sea,\ncaused the sun to stand still, raised the dead, and performed many other great\nand glorious deeds: \u201cPraise him for his acts of power<\/strong>\u201d (Psalm 150:2<\/strong>).\nThe one \u201cwho\nwatches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep<\/strong>\u201d (Psalm 121:4<\/strong>),\nbecause the God of all power needs no rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible\nplaces an emphasis on God\u2019s strength in our salvation. Man can in no way save\nhimself. Only God can save. Paul makes this abundantly clear: \u201cFor it is by grace\nyou have been saved, through faith\u2014and this not from yourselves, it is the gift\nof God\u2014not by works, so that no one can boast<\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians 2:8\u20139<\/strong>). These two verses\nare the most forceful summary of the dynamics of salvation found anywhere in\nthe Bible. They help us to understand the contrast between man\u2019s total\nhelplessness and God\u2019s overwhelming strength. \u201cGod alone . . . has the power to save or to\ndestroy<\/strong>\u201d (James 4:12<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to\nthe Bible, what strength we have is not our own. As with all things, our\nstrength ultimately comes from God: \u201cLet not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of\ntheir strength . . . but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they\nhave the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord<\/strong>\u201d (Jeremiah 9:23\u201324<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter\nhow strong we think we are, \u201cthe flesh is weak<\/strong>\u201d (Mark 14:38<\/strong>). Left to our own\ndevices, we will fall into temptation and fail in every worthy endeavor. The\nweakness inherent in human nature is why the Bible commends us to the strength\nof the Lord.  Christ\u2019s \u201cpower is made\nperfect in weakness<\/strong>\u201d (2 Corinthians 12:9<\/strong>).  As we learn to rely on God\u2019s strength instead\nof our own, we gain new heights: \u201cThe Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the\nfeet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights<\/strong>\u201d (Habakkuk 3:19<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our strength\nis found in Christ alone\u2014in our having a vibrant, dynamic relationship with\nHim. It is Christ who empowers us to do whatever is necessary to accomplish\nGod\u2019s will in and through our lives: \u201cI can do all things through Christ who strengthens me<\/strong>\u201d\n(Philippians\n4:13<\/strong>). There is no other source that gives man the strength to\novercome the world with its trials and temptations, much less fulfill God\u2019s\ncalling upon each and every one of us who know Jesus as Savior.  Therefore, in Christ alone is fulfillment and\nsatisfaction realized in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible\nsays that our strength is, paradoxically, related to surrender: \u201cSubmit yourselves,\nthen, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you<\/strong>\u201d (James 4:7<\/strong>).\nWe align ourselves with the strength of God through our total submission to\nHim; then we are able to withstand the wiles of the evil one: \u201cBe strong in the\nLord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can\ntake your stand against the devil\u2019s schemes<\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians 6:10\u201311<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who\nrely on God\u2019s strength from day to day will find in Him a never-ending spring\nof energy: \u201cBlessed\nare those whose strength is in you. . . . They go from strength to strength,\ntill each appears before God in Zion<\/strong>\u201d (Psalm 84:5<\/strong>, 7<\/strong>). As God\u2019s children, we are\nstrengthened by His grace (Hebrews 13:9<\/strong>), by our time spent in prayer (Luke 18:1<\/strong>),\nand by the promise that God will reward our efforts (Galatians 6:9<\/strong>). Many around us may\ngrow weary and faint, but \u201cthose who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They\nwill soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will\nwalk and not be faint<\/strong>\u201d (Is. 40:31<\/strong>). \nKey Scriptures include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n