AM I A STRONG CHRISTIAN? (Or am I just faking it?)

EPHESIANS 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10

OBSERVATION: Am I a strong Christian? Is my trust in Christ unwavering? Do I find myself getting up each day with an increased faith to take on the world? Am I stronger today than I was yesterday, last year, or years ago?

Recently someone called me a strong man of God. I have found that it is easy to portray strength on the outside. No one really sees the struggles that one has on the inside. The longer we are Christians the more we learn how to put on the “faith face” and hide our real struggles.

The truth of the matter is that when I read this familiar verse I got stuck. I don’t feel very strong. In fact, I don’t feel that I am any stronger than I was when I first believed. I still struggle with my faith. I still miss the voice of the Holy Spirit. I still feel like I am wandering aimlessly through this thing called life.

As I prayed over this verse I knew the answer. I knew that my strength is never to be found within myself. My strength is only found in Christ. Paul did not write – “BE STRONG!.” Paul wrote,

“BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!”

I know that academically. The struggle is knowing that internally, experientially, in my day-to-day life. The reality is – I don’t like being weak. I want to be strong within myself. I want to be able to master the challenges ahead. I want to truly be a strong man of God!

Then I remember who is writing this letter to the Ephesian believers. It is the great Apostle Paul. Yet, if you would ask him, he would deny any sense of greatness. Granted, he was educated, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a born leader, yet he had learned that all of this could not save him or give him victory over sin and death.

Paul knew what I so often forget. My strength is only found in my weakness. It is not that I revel in my weakness. I loathe my weakness. I feel like I am sometimes living a lie. On the outside, I may appear to be a strong man of God. On the inside, I know the truth. I am weak. I need a savior. I need strength!

And, so Paul writes to the Corinthians,

• “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Paul faced daily hardships that most of us will never know. Paul did not say – “Yet, we mastered it through our faith!” Rather, Paul was honest and transparent about his struggle and lack of strength. He suffered beyond his own ability to endure. He despaired of life itself. He felt abandoned, ignored, and helpless. Yet, Paul understood that this was necessary if he was going to receive the strength he needed.

• “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”

The secret to being strong is acknowledging that we are truly weak. We can feign strength and fool others. Yet, we know the truth. All of us are lacking the strength we need to walk victoriously in life. Strength is not something we gain through taking a supplement, undergoing years of education, or being involved in the ministry. Strength is not something that we attain.

STRENGTH IS WHEN WE ARE ATTAINED (taken hold of) BY JESUS CHRIST!

• “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

The Scriptures that follow in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the outline of our spiritual armor, can be misinterpreted as steps to becoming strong within ourselves. They are not achievements or levels attained as in a video game. Rather, they are different manifestations of Christ living in us and through us. It is a life that is desperately and passionately holding on to Christ in all things.

He is our truth!

He is our righteousness!

He is our Good News!

He is our faith!

He is our salvation!

He is our revelation (the Word of life)!

He is our prayer!

As I think about these things an old hymn comes to mind. I close with this hymn as both my song, my declaration, and my prayer.

My hope is built on nothing lessthan Jesus’ blood and righteousness;I dare not trust the sweetest frame,but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:all other ground is sinking sand;all other ground is sinking sand.

In Jesus’ Name!