You Strong Spirits!

You Strong Spirits!

“Listen to Me, you strong spirits who are far from righteousness . . . .” Isa. 46:12.

They are far from righteousness, humility, and self-acknowledgment. They are in constant opposition and strong in their arguments. They are conceited, and in that state they are far from God. In Job 37:24 we read that God does not regard a man who is wise in his own heart. They are left to their own ways until God’s righteousness reaches them.

In 1 Timothy 1:5-7 we read about some who have strayed from the love that proceeds from a pure heart, from a pure conscience, and from a sincere faith and have turned aside to idle talk. In this meaningless state they desire to be teachers of the law even though they neither understand what they are saying nor what they so confidently affirm.

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” 1 Tim. 6:3-5.

If we leave the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine which is according to godliness, we are thrown hither and thither in an empty darkness without anything firm to hold on to.

On the way of truth to godliness we learn to be humble and meek of heart, and we enter into a blessed rest to which we can also lead others.

“Listen to Me, you strong spirits, who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory.” Isa. 46:12-13.

God has a glorious message for both strong and weak human spirits. He jealously desires our spirit. Jas. 4:5. We have only to make sure that we accept His call to come, that we are willing to yield and willing to be molded.

In Isaiah 53:12 we read that He will receive a portion with many, and that He will receive the strong as His spoil. Paul was an extremely strong man when he raged against the saints and threw them into prison. God jealously desired this spirit, and Paul was willing to let God deal with him. He received a broken heart and a contrite spirit in which Christ could dwell with His power and could work with might.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” 1 Tim. 1:12-13.

God took Paul out from among the greatest sinners to make an example of him for all those who should believe. He was born again to be a new creation with a completely new life and new interests. He could pray for the Colossians that they might be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering. Col. 1:11.

He exhorts the Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Paul served in this power, and he was a great blessing. The old man and his strength were put to death on the cross, and the new man that grew forth in power and glory could overcome—he could be more than a conqueror over everything that was not in harmony with the laws of the Spirit of life.

There is both good hope and great comfort for the weak as well as the strong spirits who come wholeheartedly to Jesus to be His disciples.