that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 3:16 KJV
Hello there! How’re you (really) doing? Good evening and welcome to this week’s edition of The Jesus Therapy Seven. It’s my earnest prayer that as we seek to know God more, our lives will take the perfect form necessary to fulfil His purposes, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
What is the strength of your inner man?
Inner strength is often explained to mean mental power or endurance, willpower, courage, self-confidence, or self-discipline. But Paul’s prayer was not for those who were still in the flesh, struggling for their wills to prevail. He prayed for those who have been born again and living the exchanged life in Christ Jesus. He wrote to those longing to see the glory of God break out in their lives.
The Passion Translation expresses Ephesians 3:16 this way:
And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.
Ephesians 3:16 TPT
So how do people get to the place of spiritual grit? Do we get it by striving or stumble into it by one revelation? I strongly believe we qualify to receive supernatural strength only when we have settled in our hearts that the strength is not from us.
I also believe that the first entrance of spiritual grit comes when grace emboldens us to say No to sin and Yes to righteousness (For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age - Titus 2:11-12 NIV).
However beautiful, God promises enduring strength to whosoever desires to continue in His words. This strength makes us useful vessels. This strength equips us. This strength makes us arrows in God’s hands. This is the enlargement my inner man longs for — in an ever-deepening degree.
The Unpopular Pursuit of Tarrying
Timothy Willard writes:
Spiritual grit doesn’t get a lot of press. Maybe because we live in an entitled society…
There is a humility embedded in persistence and tenacity. God likes both. The easy response to hardship is to give up or give in. To yield.
Jacob did not yield. He wrestled with God and demanded his blessing. Moses pursued God – pressing to see his wonder. David wrote a gazillion poems crying out to God, implying God, ranting, asking God to listen – can you hear me, God!? Here I am! Help me, for crying out loud!
Paul wrote from prison, facing death, and reminded the Church that the faith journey with God is like running the 100 meters in the Olympics – a race in which we throw off our clothes and run like the wind towards the medal podium.
Just because you’re in a wilderness time doesn’t mean you can’t remind God of that fact. “Hello God! Remember me? My bones are decaying in this valley. Send me the Ravens! Break open the stones so I can drink. Part these waters! Or, I’m gonna die.”
He details his own experience:
The end of the matter:
Every experience with God is a reinforcement of HIMSELF in us.
How much of Jesus has been formed in you?
The sinner who knows what he has been liberated from and will never think of going back to his vomit. Everyone who has experienced God, even for a few years can say, “I have come too far to go back on God. I have so much to lose. If I want the prize, I better keep paying the price.”
Every day, the Holy Spirit awakens me with the consciousness that there is more in Jesus. We have not scratched the surface. So when our hearts say, “Seek His face,” may our response always be: “Your face Lord will I seek.”
Have you experienced God’s power? God’s saving power? God’s transforming power?
Prayer:
Lord, I want an enduring relationship with you
Exchange this life for yours
Keep digging into my depths until only pure spring comes forth
I have not dug the surface of the many possibilities in you
I want more with you
I want more in you
Through many trials and many victories, take me deeper in this journey of faith
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Till next time,
Wednesday, God-willing.
God bless you!