As Paul starts to wrap his letter to the saints who [were] in Ephesus he begins to stir his readers towards action. The opening statement is so good:
“Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”
(Ephesians 6.10, NET)
David Guzik writes:
This comes at the end of the letter – a letter in which Paul has carefully established our place in Jesus, and then the basics of the Christian walk. This is his last section dealing with that walk. For Paul to write finally here means that he speaks in light of all he has previously said.
(Enduring Word)
As David did in 1 Samuel 30.6 we are encouraged here to be strengthened in the Lord. So what does this mean?
It means that we know of and draw from the strength of his power. We do not sit around and wait for God to zap us with some magic momentum but we step forward in faith, in all the ways that Paul has counselled the Ephesians in his letter, safe and secure in our trust of God (Hebrews 11.1). We know we are called to, for example, be one in Christ with other believers (2.11-22), to live differently to those around us not yet aware of the saving grace of God (5.15-21), and to have a home that reflects the truths of the Lord (5.22-33).
These things are possible because we continually strengthen [ourselves] in the Lord, drawing from the strength of his power. He will empower you to live the life you are made to live if you will only connect to the source: read His Word, commune with Him in prayer, prioritise Him in all areas of life, and surround yourself with His people. Simply, to live the life we read of in this letter, first strengthen [yourself] in the Lord.
James Travis 