Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; To those who have the misery of weakness — who never keep their better resolves, whose hearts are so divided, who are not really happy, because they have no concentration — to such it may be of immense comfort to know that real religion always gives strength — strength of character. It embraces, it unites, it consolidates, it makes real, it makes a man a man, it makes a Christian a Christian. How comforting, how apposite, how true, how deep, how full the words to those who feel their weakness — "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man." Let us look at them a little more accurately. I. Notice, first, THAT IT IS ALL "IN THE INNER MAN." You have been trying often to change the outer man, your conduct, your way of speaking, your appearance in people's eyes! some sin you endeavour to overcome, some outward inconsistency, some habit that you contracted. That won't do. You must go deeper, much deeper. It must be "the inner man." And what is "the inner man"? I look first to conscience. You must take care that your conscience is a true conscience, an active conscience, and a conscience rooted. Next, motives. These must be pure. Then, thoughts — those little springs that swell into oceans, those germs of everything. Think reasonably, accurately, scripturally, thoughtfully. And affections — the likes and dislikes; those excellent servants, but horridly bad masters. And, above all, the inner working of the Holy Spirit, which goes on low down in the innermost chambers. secret communion with God, intercourse with the Invisible. These make "the inner man," the real essence of a man's being; and all the rest — all we do and all we say, all we suffer and all we enjoy — these are only the outsides, only the reflections of that "inner man." In that "inner man" the "strength," then, must be found — conscience, motives, thoughts, affections, silent teachings, spiritual converse, and the trafficking of the soul with God. In secret, there the "strength" must be found. II. AND HOW? By the Spirit; by the Holy Spirit. Nothing more we need, nothing less can do it. It must be a supernatural power. The Holy Ghost must enter, and He will do it. Everything will go to give "strength." III. AND WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT? "Might," true might, ever increasing might; might in prayer; commanding prayers; might in the spiritual battle, might in the battle with that wicked heart; might with the devil; might over daily self, might, might in work. Do your work, whatever your work may be, patiently, thoroughly, trustfully, effectually. Might in power, that great power, holiness; that silent witness, that most eloquent of all things, holiness. And, in union the hidden mystic union of God, which is the secret of it all; in which He is, who makes life, the essence of all which is worth the living; a real life, the life of your being. Oh that we might all know the strength that gives that might. How is it to be attained? What must I do? Begin at the centre, not at the circumference; not with outsides. Do not begin by trying to change the life outside; change the motive spring. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; |
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