WHO IS HE THAT STRENGTHENS?

WHO IS HE THAT STRENGTHENS?

Monday, May 11, 2020

 ‘“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”’ (Mt.16:13)

  We may declare “I can do all things through Jesus that strengtheneth me!” (Phil.4:13) but can we truly claim such position without qualifying as did the penman Apostle Paul? Read all of Philippians to see qualifications that allowed him to authentically make his summarizing declarative statement.

  Paul accepted God’s sovereignty and thereby lived confidently regardless of the situation he was in. (Also note 1Tim.4:8)

  Paul definitively knew the Who? and What? of Lord Jesus Christ. His strength in good and bad times was not simply based in emotional trust but with factual knowledge and exercise resulting in blessed assurance. (The opposite of such knowledge is often “The god of my understanding.”)

  Let us review understanding as detailed by the Word:

1. My identity is in and by Jesus. In Him I see myself, others, life differently. Jn.3:3; 2Cor.5:17-21

2. Jesus gives me present and eternal purpose in living. Eccl.12:23-14; Jn.10:10; 2Cor.14-15

3. Jesus is my Lord! John 20:28; Gal.2:20

4. Jesus is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Col.1:17

5. Jesus is the only true Redeemer. Rom.12:1-2

6. Jesus is the sin-bearer, taking away my burden of guilt. 1Pet.2:24

7. Jesus is the King of Kings deserving all honor and worship. Rom.12:1-3; Rev.1:5-7

8. Jesus is the true Shepherd, my shepherd. Jn.10:11; Heb.13:5, 20

9. Jesus is my peace. Phil.4:6-7; 2Tim.1:7

10. In Jesus alone I find true freedom. Jn.8:34-36; Gal.5:1

11. Jesus has made me acceptable to God. Rom.4:16-25; Eph.1:6

12. In Jesus I can rejoice in all events whether happy or sad. Jn.15:9-11

13. Jesus is my mediator. Rom.8:32-35; 1Tim.2:5; Heb.7:25

14. Jesus is my defender. Rom.12:19

15. Jesus is my hope. Col.1:27; 1Thes.1:3; 1Pet.1:3

16. Jesus alone makes me pure. Phil.3:8-9

17. Jesus is that provides for my abundant life (as opposed to loneliness and despair). Jn.10:10

18. Jesus is my main motivator. 2Cor.5:14-15; Col.2:13

19. Jesus is my perfect example. Jn.13:12-17

20. Jesus is the source of strength. Phil.4:13

21. Jesus is my dearest most important friend. Jn.15:15; Rev.3:20

22. Jesus is my comforter. Mt.11:28-30

23. Jesus provides true satisfaction as opposed to dryness without Him. Jn.4:13-14

24. Jesus provides light in this dark world. Jn.8:12

25. Jesus provides clear focus. Heb.3:1

26. Jesus provides confidence in all circumstance. Rom.8:13-17; 2Tim.1:6-9; Heb.4:16

27. Jesus will never leave nor forsake His brethren. Heb.13:5

27. Jesus is The One! 1Cor.1:25-31

  Strength is not gained or maintained without exercise in and by the Word. As an exercise toward godly strength I suggest printing out the above list or similar one and exercise once a day by looking up Bible verses for each of the 28 points and making personal life-notations. Then keep completed list near at hand for continuing exercise.

  We do want Philippians 4:13 to be personally authentic . . . don’t we? Or would we rather fail stress tests?

 EBB4