… through his Spirit in your inner being,
Summary: Paul’s life is a marvelous example of how God communicates with us.
How do we get God’s “wonder working power?” Paul gives us the answer in today’s passage. Paul’s complete sentence is:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
This is a topic that Paul knows something about. Before meeting Jesus, Paul’s enthusiasm for exterminating Christians testified to his passion for serving God. He believed he was doing the right thing by eliminating threats to the Old Covenant. After meeting the Lord on the road to Damascus, Paul discovered he had been wrong about who God is.
Paul’s first encounter with Jesus was not spiritual. Jesus had to get Paul’s attention first. Luke describes the encounter this way:
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:3-4) The men with Paul may not have seen the light but they heard the sound. Luke says, “The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless…” (Acts 9:7) The Bible then says, “For three days he was blind…” (Acts 9:9)
Up until this point, Paul did not receive any communication from God in his “inner being.” But Jesus had gotten Paul’s attention. Jesus then sent a man named Ananias to Paul with a message:
“The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22: 14-16)
It was at this point that Paul was able to receive Christ in his heart. Once that happened, Paul was able to “hear” Jesus directly. Almost immediately, Jesus began to instruct Paul personally in what he should do and in the truth about the New Covenant.
Jesus taught:
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14: 15-17)
The same holds true today. If you love Jesus, keep his commands. The Spirit that he promises to send us is the same Spirit that Paul is telling us about. It is the Spirit who can strengthen us with power.
Application: Study Jesus’ commands and keep them.
Food for Thought: If Jesus spoke to you today, he would not contradict God’s Word, nor would he tell you to do anything contrary to his commands. What else is left to talk about?
If Jesus spoke to you today, he would not contradict God’s Word, nor would he tell you to do anything contrary to his commands. What else is left to talk about?
Whatever questions Jesus has for you.
Seems to me Jesus did that alot. He asked questions to prepare the hearts of mankind for a decision, then understanding came, then a desicion, then Jesus gave His commands because the soil was good for growing.
I see that same pattern in Paul’s conversion.
Isnt that what a good shepard does? Leads His sheep?
Answering a question with a question? I’m noticing that the more someone gets to know Jesus the more they mimic Him. Slowly conforming to His likeness. Like you see in Paul’s writing Chris.
T&A –
So true!
Chris,
Great point! We all have personal issues that Jesus might want to highlight in our lives or deal with in some other manner.
05-31-2023, If Jesus spoke to you today, he would not contradict God’s Word, nor would he tell you to do anything contrary to his commands. What else is left to talk about?
2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Luke 10:21-22 we read of Jesus, “At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, ‘I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son will to reveal Him.’”
If we want to know Him, we must lay aside all pride in our wisdom and intelligence and approach him as infants, in simple trust. We must ask Him to reveal Himself to us.
Ron,
Your point is so important. There is no room for human pride in the presence of a perfect God. We need to drop that baggage right now and move closer to our Lord.
If Jesus spoke to you today, he would not contradict God’s Word, nor would he tell you to do anything contrary to his commands. What else is left to talk about?
His favorite sports team? Maybe politics? Why people are stuck in sin and are blind? How we can help them to see? What words to use to help others? When is the rapture? Winning lottery numbers until the rapture? Where the ark of the covenant and all the Holy items are? Why slugs? Can I get a hug? And not really a question but a Thank You.
Dear A&T…
Now I am wondering if when you have a kid and you name him Timmy or her Tina, would that make you AT&T??? 🙂
Yes, I agree. There are a world of questions to discuss with the Creator of all things. Sounds like fun!! 🙂
I appreciate the thread. I can’t think of anything worthwhile to contribute that hasn’t already been addressed in some way. I am thankful that we do have His complete word today. So He has given us what we need.
Thank you, Rich!
We are incredibly blessed to have God’s Word preserved for us and available to us.