JMD Devotional 261 Ephesians 6:10 Relational Strength

Vs 10 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Vs 10 (KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Vs 10 (AMP) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

To comprehend verse 10 in context, we need to see what Paul was talking about leading up to his conclusion. The dialog began in chapter 5 verse 21 with “(AMP) Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” He went on to talk about our relationships, beginning with our spouse, the Church, our children, our parents, those who work for us and those we work for. We are admonished to render our service readily, as to the Lord, and not to (mere) men. Relationships demand a lot out of us: they tax us on multiple levels, they involve risk, and so much can go wrong. Exercising the due care a relationship requires is difficult, which may explain why many choose to be aloof. We are called to sacrifice our anonymity for the welfare of others in the name of Christ. God supplies the power, we do not have the resources to do this in our own flesh: only IN CHRIST can we be so unselfish.

Dear God,
Please keep me vitally united to You. When people irritate me I realize that I’m running on old dry batteries that are futile to recharge. Life requires the amps that only Your Holy Spirit can supply. Keep me hooked up and connected, first to You, and then help me share Your life-energy with others. You define all of my relationships; may they be centered in You and flow from Your will for my life. Empower me to become more involved with others. For Your Kingdom’s good. Energize me!
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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