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The Power of His Might Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. (Col 1:11) Ephesians 6:10‑11 are key verses in exhorting us to be "…. strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might". Why is this necessary? What is the spiritual meaning or reason behind being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might? The scriptures give many reasons one of which is found in the next verse itself "that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil". We have a powerful enemy to fight, therefore, he wants us to be strengthened in his might and grow stronger in the Lord. How can we do this? The answer appears to be very simple; he wants us to put on the Armour of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the Devil. Paul speaks to Timothy 'we are like good soldiers of Christ Jesus with God's Armour on!' (2 Timothy 2:3). But what is the Armour of the God? Ephesians 6:14‑17 (NIV) records it is: The Belt of Truth around the waist, The last one is the most important weapon of all in this Christian era. One of the best examples in the Bible to prove that Satan can be defeated through the word of God is Jesus. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power as the gospel writer Matthew records "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." (Matthew 3:16). Acts 10:38 also tells how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power going about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with him. Jesus was tested in the wilderness by the Devil after his baptism and his response to the devil was, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'." Later Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" and thirdly and finally Jesus said to him "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Matt.4:1‑10 NIV). When Jesus was in the flesh he defeated Satan using the word of God since God's Spirit was with him. He has set a good example for all. The Comforter Forever Jesus Christ promised us that our Father would give us a comforter who will help us forever "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:17). Even in the Old Testament the psalmist prays "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psa.51:10 NASB). God's Power Since everything pertaining to God is holy, his power, or Spirit, is frequently referred to in the Scriptures as the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures ascribe all the accomplishments or power of God as functions of his Holy Spirit. This has been since the beginning when 'the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters'. Later the Bible informs us that God put his Spirit upon certain Israelites in the wilderness and thereby gave them the necessary skills to make the furnishings of the tabernacle (Exo.31:3). Another function of the Holy Spirit was the enabling of God's prophets to record his thoughts as they pertain to his people and to the development of his plan of salvation as it says in 2 Peter 1:21(NIV) "for prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirt in the Old Testament and the New Testament King Saul began prophesying when the Spirit of God came up on him. 1 Samuel 10:10 (NIV) "When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying." Daniel was able to interpret dreams since the Spirit of God was with him as recorded in Daniel 4:18 (NIV) "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you." In the New Testament Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be given to his apostles to enable them to call to remembrance the things which he had said to them and to guide them into all truth. John 16: 13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." The Working of the Holy Spirit When we hear the Gospel of Salvation we will be sealed with Holy Spirit. Eph.1:13 says "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise". As God's first‑fruits we are sanctified by the spirit by believing the truth. 2 Thess.2:13 "brethren beloved of the Lord…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth". Similarly another step is that "we have purified our souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…. see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22). The Spirit gives an understanding as stated in Job 32:8 "there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding". When we read the word of God, the Bible, the Holy Spirit will gather our understanding together. Isaiah 34:16 (NIV) "Look in the scroll of the LORD and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together." Just as God is holy when we are sanctified by the Spirit of God we are in a closer relationship with God. So Paul prays "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people" (Eph.1:18 NIV). Paul believed that the understanding of the truth comes from God's might opening the believer's mind. God gave his spirit to Jesus Christ and in the same way God leads through his spirit which is his might. The Apostle explains in 1 Corinthians 12:6 there are "diversities of operations" of the Holy Spirit. Then he adds 'It is the same God' who works in each of us. He has given each of us the Holy Spirit, not only for our own individual benefit, but to the profit of the entire body of Christ. Children Sons of God If we are led by the Spirit of God then we are 'Children of God' as it says in Romans 8:14(NIV) "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God". Paul also said to the Romans that the spirit we receive does not make us slaves but sons of God and we cry, 'Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15‑16). When this happens our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit. "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV). Spiritual Need, Meaning and Reason The Father who raised Jesus Christ from the dead and set him at his right hand will also strengthen every one through his might which is the Holy Spirit. Through his Spirit it is possible to see things clearly and be strengthened spiritually to understand his word and the truth. If we have the spirit of truth we, the Christian, can defeat our enemy, Satan, who tests us in every second of our life, defeating him as Jesus Christ did. Ephesians 3:16 The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ "….grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man". RP |
