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Paul commanded, “Be strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10). The fact that we are ordered to be spiritually strengthened necessarily implies that it is possible for us to attain such strength. The Lord does not press orders upon His people that are beyond our accomplishment. We are told how to be fully equipped for battle (Eph. 6:14–17). Several of whom we read in the Bible became spiritually strong, and apparently without miraculous assistance. Such was Abraham (Rom. 4:20), as were some of the saints in Rome (15:1) and Galatia (Gal. 6:1). The Hebrew brethren were without excuse in their spiritual retardation (Heb. 5:12–14) and so are we. The sources of spiritual strength are available and the strength we all so badly need is assuredly attainable for every Christian soldier.
It must not be overlooked that the matter of being spiritually strengthened is not optional—it is imperative. With the force of a military command, Paul wrote, “Be strong in the Lord.” The sources of strength are made readily available by our Commander-in-chief. The ability of the Christian soldier to apply these sources of strength is without question. It is tragic that so many in the Lord’s army feel no obligation to grow and mature in the faith and become spiritually strong. Few have done or can be motivated to do any serious study of God’s Word. Such will be absolutely without excuse when they are called to the Judgment.
Perhaps the one great curse of the Lord’s spiritual army is ignorance of the Word of God. Because of such widespread ignorance, not only among the rank-and-file members, but among elders, deacons, teachers, and even preachers, the Lord’s people are sorely handicapped. They are at the same time rendered defenseless when the Truth is under attack and are unable to press the battle successfully upon the foe.
It is also correctly observed that the Lord’s own soldiers have in many cases become so much like the enemy troops that for them to oppose the enemy is to oppose themselves. Worldliness, impenitent fornication, and a gadget and gimmick-oriented good time approach are rampant in many congregations. Also, outright false doctrine has so infiltrated the ranks in many places that the cause has all but been surrendered to the enemy.
The prevailing challenge before the remaining faithful leaders of God’s people is to encourage and inspire a hunger for Truth which alone will provide the strength needed for the battle. In the final analysis, however, each member must take this obligation seriously and personally.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, January 19, 1988, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
