The emphasis men place on strength may not be the same God places on it. Paul said, ". . ..for when I am weak then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). Paul said he was strong when he was being persecuted and when he had infirmities and reproaches for Christ's sake. Let's take a look at real strength. We are strong:

(1) When we have respect for the authority of the Bible. Paul said, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of 'he Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Col. 3:17). We are strong when we recognize that we must have Bible authority for all we do religiously.

(2) When we are not ashamed of the gospel. We need more people who say as did Paul, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). We are strong when we want only the gospel preached and that in its fulness.

(3) When we practice what we preach. We need the teachings of Paul to the Romans when he said, "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? . . . (Rom. 2:21). There is a great demand for the people of God to practice what we preach. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; . . ." (Gal. 2:20).

(4) When we are filled with zeal and knowledge. Paul prayed that the Colossians might "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col. 1:9). Couple zeal and knowledge in a child of God and you have strength.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 11, p. 190
March 15, 1979