Being Strong in the Spirit

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16). Many of us want to have a healthy body, a sound mind, and a strong spiritual life. To get physically stronger, we exercise and eat right. To develop our minds, we learn and organize our thoughts. But being spiritually strong is not possible through one's own efforts. None of us were born in spiritual connection with God. As a result of Adam and Eve's sin, all people are born spiritually dead in sin and separated from God (Ephesians 2:1). However, the moment we believe in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, we are reconciled with God, and we are spiritually made alive (Ephesians 2:5). This is exactly how the Christian life begins. After being born again, the Holy Spirit who lives within us teaches us to see life as Christ sees it, to accept God's values and priorities, and to follow His example. The more we submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the more we become like Christ, prepared to do God's will, and spiritually strengthened. God wants His children to live a life dedicated to His will and to show His love to the world. But He does not expect us to do this on our own strength. That is why He gave us the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen us and prepare us for service.