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Excerpt from Sparkling Gems of the Greek:
by Rick Renner.
Scripture Study:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." [Ephesians 6: 10]
Could you use some extra strength today?
I want to draw your attention to the word 'strong' in Ephesians 6: 10. It is the Greek word
'endunamao', a compound of the words 'en' and 'dunamis'.
• The word 'en' means 'in'.
• The word 'dunamis' means explosive
strength, ability, and power. It is the same Greek word where we get the word
dynamite. Thus, this word 'endunamao' presents the picture of an 'explosive power that is being deposited into some type of container, vessel or other form of receptacle'.
The very nature of this word 'endunamao' means that there necessarily must be some type of receiver for this power to be deposited into. This is where we come into the picture! We are specially designed by God to be the receptacles of His divine power.
When Paul tells us to 'be strong in the Lord', he is essentially saying, 'Receive a super- natural, strengthening, internal deposit of power into your inner man."
God is the Giver, and we are the 'receptacles' into which this power is to be deposited.
Paul knew you and I would desperately need supernatural power in order to successfully combat the attacks the enemy would bring against us. That's why he urges us to open our spirits, souls, and bodies to God so we can receive this supernatural strength.
Ephesians 6: 10 could be translated to mean:
"Be infused with supernatural strength and ability ....... Be empowered with this special touch of God's strength .... Receive this inner strengthening...."
God wants you and me to have this supernatural strength and ability. We are the special receptacles or containers He created to possess this phenomenal power. Think of how wonderful it is that God specially fashioned you and me to be the containers for the power of
God!
But where do we get that supernatural power?
Paul answers this question in Ephesians 6: 10, where he says:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
Word Study:
I want you to especially look at that phrase
"be strong in the Lord."
The phrase 'in the Lord' is a Greek phrase that means that this special infusion of dynamic, supernatural power can be found in only one place - in the Lord. The fact that Paul wrote in this particular Greek case is very important, because it tells us that this power is locked u in the Person of Jesus Christ and that it can't be found anywhere else.
You can't obtain this supernatural power by reading books or listening to tapes. The books and tapes can direct you to the place where it can be found, but the power itself can only be obtained through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This power is locked up 'in the Lord.'
Now, let me take this one step further so I can explain why it's so easy and uncomplicated for you to receive a new infusion of God's power in your life. This same 'locative case' that describes the power of God being locked up inside Jesus Christ is used nine times in Ephesians 1, where Paul uses it to declare that we are perpetually and infinitely 'locked up' inside the Person of Jesus Christ.
In verses 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 (twice), 11, and 13 (twice), Paul says that we are 'in Him', 'in Christ', 'in whom', or 'in the Beloved'.
Because these phrases are in the 'locative' case, Paul is saying we have actually been placed inside Jesus Christ. He has become our realm of existence and the place of our habitation
Just as you live at a certain physical address, you also have a 'spiritual' address. You permanently reside inside the Son of God'. He is your permanent home - a home from which you will never move because you are locked up and security placed inside Him perpetually.
Stay with me, because this now leads us to the reason that the supernatural power of God we desperately need is so easy to receive!
The reason God's power is so accessible to us is that both we, AND this divine power are gloriously locked up inside the same place! The power is located inside the Lord, and we are also located inside the Lord. We may not always be 'mentally' aware of it, but we are constantly rubbing elbows with this divine power on a day-to-day, hour-to-hour, and minute-to-minute basis.
A Simple Illustration:
The fact that we reside 'inside' Jesus along with God's power can be somewhat likened to water and fish sharing the same space in an aquarium. The water and fish are definitely different in substance, but they both reside in the same tank. The tank serves as the 'home' for these two substances that are held simultaneously within its walls. Therefore, the fish doesn't have to release its faith to get into the water, for it already perpetually lives in the water.
The very fact that we are locked up inside the Lord along with the Holy Spirit's supernatural power means that we are never far away from a new surge of superhuman power into our human spirits. A fresh surge of this power into us is as accessible as our very next breath of air! It's just as normal for us to receive a new infilling of the Spirit as it is for a fish to freely swim around in its tank.
In fact, God has designed our lives in Christ in such a way that it would be very difficult for us not to freely receive this impartation of superhuman, supernatural strength for the fight. However, if we are to experience this ever-available, ever-near power, we must open our hearts to it and ask God to release it into our lives. Then by faith we must reach out to embrace it.
This means there is no need to beg, plead, or beat yourself up in prayer to somehow prove that you are good enough to receive this divine power. If you know Jesus Christ, you are already locked up in the same place with the power of God. In fact, you're rubbing elbows with it all the time. It's no more difficult to receive than it is for a fish to start swimming! It's yours for the taking!
You Are Surrounded By God's Supernatural Power:
At this very moment, you are immersed in that divine power. Supernatural inner strength and ability is yours for the taking - So if you're feeling a need for extra strength today open your heart right now and allow God to give you a fresh infilling of His explosive, Holy Spirit - AND TAKE IT BY FAITH!
Prayer For Today:
Lord, how can I ever thank you enough for making your power so available to me? I need this power so much in my life, and I am grateful that you have made it so easy for me to receive it. I see now that you want me to be filled with Your power and strength today - so I open my heart right now and ask you for a fresh infilling of Your Spirit. Thank You for creating me to be the receptacle for this wonderful power - and by faith, I receive a fresh infilling of Your Spirit right now!
I pray this in Jesus' Name - Amen!
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