| Spiritual Growth Lesson # 32 |
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Spiritual Growth
Lessons |
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LESSON 32 of 32 |
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LIVING A VICTORIOUS
LIFE |
BE STRONG IN THE LORD!
"Finally, my brethren,be strong in the Lord, and in the power
of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places" (Ephesians 6:10-12).
There are two spiritual kingdoms in this world - the kingdom of God,
and the kingdom of Satan. When we are born into the kingdom of God,
we become a true enemy of Satan and a true soldier of Jesus Christ (II
Timothy 2:3-4). As a soldier of Jesus Christ, we must understand that
the battle we are involved in cannot be won by any physical, mental,
or moral strength of our own. That is why Paul wrote: "For
we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice
in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians
3:3).
We can only
be an overcomer (one who lives victoriously) as we rely on the strength
that Jesus Christ alone can give us. Be strong in the Lord! Jesus further
illustrated this truth by comparing Himself to the true vine, and our
relationship with Him is compared to the branches - which get their
strength from the vine. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
Paul said, "I can do all things," but was careful
to add "through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians
4:13).
Some people have the mistaken idea that we can reach a place of spiritual
maturity when all of our weaknesses will have been conquered, and we
will be able to slack up a bit on our praying and seeking after God.
Our character will be so molded after His image that we won't need to
be so "spiritual" any more. The truth of the matter is that
when a man "thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall"
(I Corinthians 10:12). The Christ-like life is never lived by developing
mature character in the manner one would attain book knowledge. It is
the bearing of fruit because we are "clinging to the vine."
As we learn more and more to yield our very lives to the true vine,
Jesus Christ, we can bear more fruit of the Spirit unto perfection.
"Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses
and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ, the Messiah,
may rest - yea, may pitch a tent over and dwell upon me. So for the
sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities,
insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when
I am weak (in human strength), then am I (truly) strong - able, powerful
in divine strength" (II Corinthians 12:9-10, Amplified Bible).
The word "infirmity" in Webster's Dictionary means, "the
quality or state of being weak or frail, personal failings." The
word "infirm" means "weak of mind, will, or body."
The word "infirmity" as used in the Bible comes from the Greek
word "anaesthenia," and means "feebleness of body or
mind, disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness, without strength or power,
moral weakness."
When we are born into the kingdom of God, our weaknesses are not necessarily
done away with, although we are greatly changed in many ways. In fact,
often times our weaknesses are the driving force to bring us closer
to Jesus Christ - to a total forsaking of the "self-life,"
and a total dependency upon Jesus.
Paul prayed three times for God to remove his weaknesses and infirmities,
but God's answer to him was that His strength was made perfect in weakness.
That is why he said, "I will all the more gladly glory in my
weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ...
may rest... upon me." He went on to say "when I am weak
(in human strength) then am I strong."
The secret of winning the battle over all things we face is to be strong
in the Lord, and the power of His might. We must allow our weaknesses,
trials, persecutions, perplexities, distresses -- and every negative
thing that comes our way drive us to Jesus Christ. There is no better
place than in His presence! ds
