Striving in His Strength

"Him (Jesus) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me" (Col. 1:28-29).

As a minister of Christ, Paul toiled to proclaim the gospel and disciple believers in order to bring them into spiritual maturity. Although he worked hard, he did not do so in his own strength but in the energy and power of the Spirit that was at work in him. There are many Pastors today and other faithful believers that are involved in the work of making disciples that must be careful not to get burned out by striving and toiling in their own strength. Pastors and other Christian workers must strive in His strength--in the energy and power of the Spirit. Pastors and other Christian workers can get so involved in doing good things that they neglect the nourishing of their own spiritual lives. In addition to burning ourselves out what we do in our own strength will not make an eternal difference in this world. Paul wrote, "Now unto him who can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20). Only God through the power that works in us can give us the wisdom and ability to teach the word of God and bring others into spiritual maturity.

How did Paul access the power of God that he relied on to do God's work? Notice how Paul prayed, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Col. 1:9-12). Prayer was not only how Paul relied upon God, but he believed that through prayer the power of God was release in the lives of believers to accomplish in them and through them what only God can do. Paul not only prayed for the power of the Spirit to be released in the lives of other believers but he counted on the prayers of others that the Spirit would mightily work in and through his life.

Thank the Lord for Pastor and others spiritual leaders that strive in God's strength that they may help others grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Take time to thank your Pastor and others that are laboring in the work of the Lord. Like Paul they need your encouragement, support and most of all your prayers.