Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (NKJV)
Yesterday we considered Paul and John's boldness and their prayer for more boldness in the face of opposition.
I woke up this morning with today's verses in my mind and Paul's call to "be strong". His call is not to be strong in ourselves, based on our previous accomplishments and confidence in ourselves. It is a call to be strong in our faith, in the strength and power that God, only God can provide. Power from the One who created all things and holds all things together.
John MacArthur points out that the Bible and Paul in his writing "pictures the Christian life as a war, a race, and a fight. We depend on God's energy, power and strength, but we are by no means passive. We're commanded to apply ourselves to good deeds, resist the Devil, bring our bodies under submission, walk in wisdom, press toward the prize, cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and perfect holiness in the fear of God. Those are calls to fervent action."
Those are tall orders, not possible in our own strength, but in the power that He is willing to provide. Read the two verses again. See that God supplies the resources, we supply the effort.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) - Christian Warfare
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
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