Today we hear lots of reasons why Christians need spiritual power. But many of them really confuse the issue.
Here's the reason the Bible says we need spiritual power: We have no power of our own. Our our flesh is inherently weak and sinful. Scripture constantly makes the distinction between that which is of the flesh, and that which is of the Spirit.
In many churches today, and in far too many individual Christians, there is no broken-hearted seeking after the power of the Holy Spirit. There is only a sinful seeking after “the lust of the flesh” – things that appeal to sinful flesh – “the lust of the eyes” – things that deceive by appearances – and “the pride of life” – things that feed human pride. May God cause His people to repent of seeking such things.
If you are a Christian today, you need to recognize the total weakness and condemnation of your flesh. You need spiritual power and strength from God because you have absolutely no strength and power of your own to live the Christian life.
Don't be ashamed to rely on God's power, even when the world, or even other Christians, ridicule you for doing so. The early church at Corinth embraced this kind of wrong thinking, just as many Christians do today. Paul set them straight by writing this: "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty...that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” |
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