What does it mean to do things in God's strength?

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.

Lessons from teaching

So, half a term has gone in my new (teaching) job, and what have I learned? Here are 5 serious and not-so-serious things that I have learned:

1. The difference between a headteacher and an art teacher. A headteacher is someone who sees the importance of getting people to understand objective truth, but fails to take enough time considering how to affect people's consciences. An art teacher, on the other hand, is unconcerned what people believe, as long as it stirs them up, and results in action. I'd quite like to strike a good balance of the two, both informing the mind and affecting the conscience, but unfortunately I applied for the position of maths teacher.

2. The importance of distinguishing between ATL (a teaching union - the Association of Teachers and Lecturers) and ATL (attitude-to-learning).

3. Which trains between Reading and Oxford I'm likely to be able to get a seat on.

4. The true meaning of being busy, and the necessity of a sabbath.

5. That the Biblical doctrine of the inherent sinfulness of the human heart is true - simply watch a group of 11-16s live in utter selfishness for a few days, and there can be little doubt that it is only grace which stops humans carrying out even more horrific atrocities than some already do.

My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross

"I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,

My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross."

The final verse of a hymn by a Christian woman at the very end of her life, as she looked ahead to eternity with the Lord. It seems to me that they encapsulate the very heart of what it is to be trusting in Christ. It speaks of the highest experience that a Christian can have, when we can truly say that our only shame is our sin, that all we want is to see the face of the Lord Jesus, and that our glory is in the cross alone. And it produces love for God, and results in living increasingly godly lives, where the things of this world truly mean little to us.

The question is: how can we have this experience more often, and more deeply? I guess there are many Biblical strategies that we can adopt, especially those which involve reading and meditating upon the Word.

But, given that God alone can produce this experience of Him, perhaps the best way of reaching such a knowledge of Himself is simply to ask Him. Having asked for God's Presence to go with the Israelites, he says "show me your glory" (Exodus 33:18), and God does. If we seek Him, we will find Him - we will see His goodness, and hate our sin, and appreciate the wonder of Calvary far more than if we rely on our own efforts. And we will be better enabled to live for God in fallen world, and effectively preach the gospel, so that others can be won for Christ.

How often do we pray "show me your glory"? However much, let us do so more.