I have no spiritual strength of myself; without Christ I can do nothing - therefore I must live in His strength, not my own. All Christians believe this, but what does it mean? Or, more to the point, how can we do it? If it is vital for holiness, then there are surely very few more important questions!
I'm yet to come across a completely satisfying explanation of how we're to live in God's strength - hence this post! Any thoughts would be most helpful.
It seems to me that there are 4 ways in which people view the concept of doing things in God's strength:
(i) Some view it as meaning that we stop doing anything, and God does it all. "Let go and let God", they say. This is completely contrary to Scripture, where slavery to God, and working out our own salvation, both of which demand great effort, are taught.
(ii) Some seem to think that, having become Christians by grace, we have to continue by our own effort. Very few would teach this, but many seem to believe it (and I myself often find that I'm living as if I believed this). This too is clearly an erroneous view, for it does not speak of relying on God.
(iii) Many seem to think that it means working hard for God, but always doing so praying for His help, humbling ourselves before Him and confessing our weakness and need of Him. All of thsi is necessary, but is there more to living in God's strength than simply living and asking for His strength?
(iv) Finally, there is the view that we live in God's strength by "living out our union with Christ". Having read Colossians 2:6 and similar verses, I would go along with this. But what does it mean!? I get my strength from union with Christ, obviously, but what does it mean to live that out?
This will probably be the first of several posts, as I think through this issue. And, as I say, any helpful contributions would be most welcome.
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