That the Power of Christ May Dwell in Me

That the Power of Christ May Dwell in Me

The natural man is innately pathetically weak when it concerns doing the good and bearing the evil that others commit. For all practical purposes he is almost not able to bear anything.

But listen to what the apostle Paul says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13. This is the kind of salvation that is available to all of us, from one pitiful extreme to the other glorious extreme! The power of Christ dwelt in him! It was always present and active. Therefore he could exhort all others to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Eph. 6:10.

How is the power of God and of Christ transferred to us weaklings? We find it clearly stated in Colossians 2:12: by faith in the power of God in you and me. Like small children, we must simply believe in God’s indwelling power—because He did not give us the spirit of discouragement or powerlessness. On the contrary, He gave us the Spirit of power! 2 Tim. 1:7. In the time of the old covenant, Micah could say, “But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord.” Ch. 3:8. And about the good wife it is also written in the old covenant, “Strength and honor are her clothing . . . .” Prov. 31:25.

Seeing that this was possible in the old covenant, how much, much more should it not be like this now in the time of the new covenant?!

Something that is profoundly interconnected with our power and strength is our ability to bear. Read Numbers 11:14 and 17; also read Romans 15:1 and Galatians 6:2. The exhortation is: “Bear one another’s burdens . . . .” Gal. 6:2.

Most people are weak, quickly becoming tired and fed up with bearing the others’ weaknesses; they do not have the strength for it. Generally, it is extremely difficult for them to bear and to love each other. They are wretched weaklings who are ready to drop under the burdens. Then their ability to bear is pitifully small.

How hopeful and glorious it is to hear from the most reliable source that we can be full of power to the staggering degree that Paul testifies about in Philippians 4:13!!!

This is part of our heavenly calling: suffering and bearing everything and everyone. These are the steps of Jesus Christ.