Be Strong In The Lord

 

Why will a man throw way the wife of his youth and the children she bore him for a “one night stand?” Adults use profanity in public and in front of their children. Society is plagued with constant news reports of murder, abuse, rape and theft. Even in our small communities, gossip is hot on social media. In America, we behave badly! One reason we behave badly is because we live for ourselves and we live for the moment. When God is taken out of life’s equation, so is any motivation to live for eternity. Paul alluded to this way of life when he wrote, “…If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die!’” (1 Corinthians 15:32). He goes on to describe those who live for the here and now as “evil company” (v33). When a person denies the existence of God, a future resurrection and eternal life, they have only themselves and the moment for which to live. That perspective lends itself to gross immorality; and fellowshipping with that kind of people “corrupts good habits” (v33). Paul admonishes Christians to “awake to righteousness, and do not sin” (v34). The inspired apostle indicated a direct correlation: deny the resurrection and live only for the present = sinful life; or, believe in the resurrection of Jesus and that we will be resurrected one day = living a righteous life. Atheists would have the world believe that as a general rule they are just as concerned about morality and doing good toward their fellow man as any Christian. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The debauchery and crime of our society is directly linked to our secularization. If we believe there is no God; if we believe we are the product of a series of accidents and no more important than animals; and if we have no hope of an afterlife where we will be rewarded, or punished accordingly, then we have nothing to live for but ourselves. And being surrounded by people who think and behave so ungodly can have a profoundly negative influence on otherwise good people. Know this – there is a last day on the horizon. Jesus is coming. We will all face judgement. We will spend eternity in heaven or hell. Reward yourself in life, or live for the reward.

[1 Corinthians 15:58] If you said to me, “Strength is an essential attribute of Christians – Christians are supposed to be strong,” I would agree with you. The strongest people I know are Christians. What does it mean to be strong? Is the Christian’s perspective of strong to be that of the world? “I’m supposed to be strong at all times,” which translated means, “I’m supposed to get through this on my own strength. I will not rely on anyone else. I can do this on my own. I’m not supposed to ask God for help, not even in the smaller things.” Relying on one’s own strength will quickly prove how weak they really are. Thinking that that definition of strength can make one a strong Christian and an obedient child of God, all the while not needing the strength from anyone else, will not strengthen one’s faith. We are supposed to be strong as Christians but the source of that strength does not reside within us. We borrow strength, might, and the ability to protect ourselves. We receive these things from God. Ephesians 6:10-18 plainly reveals strength as an attribute of the Christian, and God as the source of that strength. “…be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (v10). You are strong when you wear His spiritual armor; the belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of Peace, the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And the kicker is this: PRAY! (v18). In our situation of life today all I seem to hear is, “I can’t do anything about it.” When we are spiritually strong – God will go into battle for us.