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Strength

“Watch; stand firm in faith; act like men; be empowered; let your all be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 – 14)  In this letter, Paul corrected numerous problems that had arisen in the congregations of Corinth that had been brought on by the common failing of dragging one’s culture into the church.  He closed with an encouragement to be the strong people whom others admire, emboldened by the promises of God and overcoming through the power of the Spirit.  The church has continued to have problems, so should be built up in this same way.

“…that He would give you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit into the inner man…”  (Ephesians 3:16)  Paul prayed that the Christians in Ephesus be empowered by the Spirit, in this context, to be imbued with the character traits of Jesus, to be impossibly loving, to be able to comprehend and be filled full with the nature of God.  Paul would not have published this prayer if he had not been assured that such power was available.  The faithful everywhere should have this confident expectation.

“The God of all grace, having called you into His eternal glory in Christ, having suffered somewhat, will complete, confirm, strengthen, and lay your foundation.” (1 Peter 5:10)  The faithful have been summoned into the collection of the character traits of God (His glory).  The transition is never easy because a lot of what we have built must be torn down before a new foundation may be laid.  But, the promise is that the job will be completed, not left half done, and the structure will be strong enough to withstand all the world may bring.

“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God in you abides and you have overcome the wicked.” (1 John 2:14)  John recorded an encouraging song, reminding those early Christians of their ability, strength, and comprehension in a time of great and powerful opposition.  The ideas about the nature of God remained alive in them and were actively building them up.  For all the faithful, grasping the nature of God is the core strength that enables us to overcome.

“Into the promise of God he [Abraham] wavered not through unbelief, but was powerful in faith, having given glory to God.” (Romans 4:20)  Abraham and Sarah were promised a son in their old age, within the year, after decades of disappointment.  Abraham recounted the character traits of God (His glory), so accepted the promise as fact.  The context goes on to say that this is the faith God seeks, and this is the faith we must have to be acceptable.  We must know what those promises are (hundreds of them), and act as though the impossible is assured.

“When I am weak, then I am powerful.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 – 10)  Paul recounted some of the many hardships he had endured while spreading the good news, including a “thorn in the flesh” for which he had thrice requested release.  God declined, saying, “My strength is fulfilled in weakness.”  So, Paul concluded, when he was unwell, his overcoming made the power of God that much more evident.  All the faithful should have the same attitude, that the inconveniences and adversities we encounter just make the work of God through us easier to see.

“For He was crucified out of weakness, yet He lives out of God’s power.  For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him out of God’s power into you.” (2 Corinthians 13:4)  Many have interpreted Jesus’ execution as a mark of weakness, overlooking His victory over death in the resurrection.  Paul compared this to the perception of the Christians of Corinth.  Paul’s difficulties and afflictions caused him to appear weak, but his success was displayed in the Spirit dwelling in those whom he taught.  Those whom you teach display your power.

“For we rejoice when we may be weak, but you may be strong.  But this also, we pray for the equipping of you.” (2 Corinthians 13:9)  The Christians of Corinth had a high opinion of themselves and, because of his afflictions, a low opinion of Paul.  Paul rejoiced over their success, even though they may have thought too highly of themselves.  He prayed for their further development.  The faithful are able to rejoice over the successes of others without regard to themselves.  Rather, they pray that this success develop still more.

“Be empowered in the Lord and in the strength of His ability.” (Ephesians 6:10)  People have varying levels of ability and of self-confidence.  A healthy realism is needed.  Some need to be encouraged to achieve their potential.  Some need to recognize their limitations.  Paul’s reality check for the faithful is to determine whether or not the power of God is being tapped to fill the gap between ability and objective.

“I am able for all things in Him strengthening me.” (Philippians 4:13)  Paul’s application was in handling a wide variety of economic conditions.  He was neither debilitated by need, nor stunted by plenty.  Rather, he was able to handle every circumstance not by superior self-control, not by asceticism, not by remembering the good times while planning a return from the bad times.  Rather, Paul was “in” Jesus, developing His character traits in himself.  This strength of character put the vagaries of comfort on the same level as those of the weather.

“In all power being strengthened according to the ability of His glory, into all patience and longsuffering with joy.” (Colossians 1:11)  Paul prayed that the Christians of Colossae would develop this quality by absorbing the character traits of God (His glory).  Their power to endure the chaos of life on earth was not simply patiently suffering through it, but with joy.  Compare the patience and longsuffering of God in dealing with His creation, or of Jesus on earth.  Jesus wanted to share His joy with the faithful (John 15:11).

“Be powerful in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1)  Grace, the collection of all the positive character traits of God, is powerful.  Jesus, God in the flesh, displayed how those traits played out in the downward spiral that is life on earth.  Certainly, many have tried to exercise power on earth, but lasting results have been elusive.  On the contrary, this power produces joy for the one with a gracious nature as well as for those whom they affect, those to whom they impart this faith.

“Powerless is the Law in that it was weak through the flesh…” (Romans 8:3)  Laws are about actions and reactions.  As soon as anyone in the system finds an advantage in corruption, the system collapses.  So, we should not be surprised by the failures of governments around the world.  Paul’s contrast in this context is between those who depend on rules to organize life, versus those who rely on the Spirit of God to develop character so that life is worth living and organizes itself because it is gracious.

“We who are strong ought to bear the scruples of the weak and not please ourselves.  Let each of us please the neighbor into good, toward building up.” (Romans  15:1 – 2)  Every variety of congregation has its weaknesses and strengths.  Some of the weaknesses severely hamper faith, some less obviously.  The point is not the enforcement of practices, doctrines, and authority figures, but the building up of faith which leads to a gracious nature through the Spirit who dwells in the faithful.  Those with gracious natures figure out how to get along.

“Receive the one being weak in faith…” (Romans 14:1)  Paul’s examples in this context are controversies about dietary restrictions and the observance of holidays, which were the hot topics in that day.  Today, we fight different battles, but we can learn from Paul’s prescription.  Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel tends to set the agenda.  Rather, since both sides consider the other to be “the weak,” the solution is to work together for as long as it takes to better understand faith, peace, and joy, giving the other side the right to be wrong in the meantime.

“I have become weak that I may win the weak.”  (1 Corinthians 9:22)  Paul adapted to the group in which he found himself, not for the purpose of blending in, but for the purpose of creating a ready audience for a more mature gospel.  He accepted the role of a servant so as to cause spiritual development.  Paul had miraculous skills through which he could have commanded attention.  But the more profitable tack, alienating fewer, was the servant who was part of the group, nudging everyone along gently to the goal of the character of Jesus.

“Their conscience, being weak, is defiled.” (1 Corinthians 8:7)  Those who have been taught a legalistic or incomplete version of the gospel can be driven away from faith by the liberty exercised by others.  Paul’s example was meat that had been sacrificed to an idol.  The mature understood that the meat was not affected by the process, but the weak could interpret the practice as approval of syncretism (merging idolatry with Christianity).  Those who understand liberty must not focus on themselves, but on the growth of others.

“Because of this, many are weak and sick in you, and many are fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:30)  The Christians of Corinth dragged a lot of their culture into the church, causing many problems and starving the spirits of many back into unbelief.  The example in this context was the corruption of the multi-faceted illustration called the Lord’s Supper.  The 15 thoughtful lessons inherent in that celebration had become a self-centered debacle.  Ritualizing or re-purposing God’s illustrations leads to spiritual bankruptcy.

“Who is weak and I am not weak?  Who is made to stumble and I do not burn?” (2 Corinthians 11:29)  The distant faithful were never far from Paul’s thoughts.  When he heard that their faith had been weakened through poor or manipulative teaching, he felt helpless.  When he heard that they had been cleverly enticed into evil, he ached to fix it.  And, he set out to do so with letters and visits.  The faithful should be so emotionally connected that distance is not an obstacle and problems spur us to action, not condemnation.

“…since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak into you, but powerful in you.” (2 Corinthians 13:3)  While spreading the gospel, Paul often encountered troubles.  Some called this weakness.  Certainly, they thought, if Paul had true power, these things would not happen or he could at least crush his oppressors.  Paul reminded them that his strength was evident in the fact that they believed.  In the same way, the powerful teachers today are not the eloquent or those who gather large audiences, but those who change you.

“He was crucified out of weakness, yet He lives out of God’s power.  We also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him out of God’s power into you.” (2 Corinthians 13:4)  Jesus was executed by the government, which for many was a sign of weakness.  Yet, He came back.  Similarly, the faithful appear politically powerless, yet really live rather than just existing, presently are seated in heavenly places where Jesus is (Ephesians 1:20, 2:6), and will continue into such after Judgment, all due to the power of God placed into all the faithful, not just into me.

“For we rejoice when we are weak, however strong you may be.  And this also we pray, that you be thoroughly equipped.” (2 Corinthians 13:9)  The faithful rejoice in weakness because, at those times, the power of God is displayed clearly.  Being low in status, despite the seemingly prosperous earthly endeavors of other faithful people, does not slow the physically stricken faithful.  Rather, always working for what is best for others, the weak pray for the continued success of the strong.

How is it that you turn again upon the weak and destitute principles to which you desire again to be enslaved?” (Galatians 4:9)  Many of the faithful of central Turkey were incorporating Jewish customs into their faith.  Although the arguments in favor sounded reasonable to them, Paul reminded them of the end result, to be once again enslaved to law rather than liberated by the Spirit.  The same happens today.  Complex theological principles may sound impressive, but look to the end result.  Will I be free or subject to the confusing?

“Counsel the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, be the sounding board for the weak, be patient toward all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)  Within the church, many need help to overcome their baggage.  Caution the reckless about pitfalls you have seen up around the bend, build up those who doubt themselves, listen and ask questions of those who have overlooked the power of God in them, and, above all, be patient with all.  The most common cause of leaving the church is a lack of closeness.

“There is indeed a putting away of the former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness.” (Hebrews 7:18)  Of those in Israel who cared at all about God, the majority assumed that the purpose of the Law of Moses was to connect them to God.  Unfortunately, they overlooked the facts that they were unsuccessful at executing it, and that the objective of the Law was not what they thought.  Rather, the Law was a contract for the building of the stage on which Jesus would play, for which Israel was compensated handsomely.  It is gone because it is done.