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Growing Strong

Now, I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned, strengthen your brothers.”Luke 22:32

Pilgrim's Progress, Christian enters the battle.
The word strengthen here is stérizó, to make fast, establish; firmly fix, to strengthen. The word fail is from ek "from" and leipó "leave." Thus Jesus is praying that Peter's faith would not fail or leave him, that he would be strengthened so to strengthen others. This implies this was a time that his faith would be strengthened, though the devil meant it for harm, God would use it for good. Satan had asked permission to sift Peter like wheat.* Jesus did not say to Peter that he prayed this sifting would not happen but that Peter's faith would not fail and that he would be strengthened in faith so to strengthen others. 

He did not judge the unbelief, to the extent the promise of God, rather strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, Romans 4:20

The faith of Abraham says not to judge according to unbelief but be strengthened in faith until we became fully convinced of God's promises. When Jesus told Peter that satan wanted to sift him Peter replied he would go to prison or death with Jesus but we know this is not the case, he denied him three times. When the sifting of Satan occurs it shakes us to the core, it feels like your faith has failed, when you thought your faith was stronger and you would have the courage to stand. But this is where Peter grew strong and where we do also. The word strengthen is endunamoó, from en "in, by, with," and dynamóō, "to make strong, enable," thus empower, to grow strong.

Finally, grow strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength.*

So here you are, finally, you have come this far, but your training is not over, grow strong, you have an enemy to fight. To fight the spiritual forces of darkness we need to put on the armor of God but important is this verse which tells us we need to train, to grow strong. The word for grow strong is endunamoó, meaning in power, empowered, or grow strong in the might of His strength. The word might speaks of the ability to do something, the power or authority to do it, and that it is possible, that all things are possible through God's might and it is the ability of His strength that we grow strong in. "I am strong entirely in the one who empowers me."*

be vigilant, stand in the faith, courageously grow strong.*

The word for grow strong here is krataioó, meaning to strengthen; to attain mastery, the upper-hand. This upper hand is through His might. We have seen that strength comes from God but we need to grow strong by standing and courageously growing strong in faith. We grow strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength when we stand against evil spiritual forces. It requires trust and total dependence upon God. Also, I must put on righteousness, having received this gift through faith, like a seed it must grow up to bear fruit. I put on the hope of my salvation, the sure footing, the steadiness of the gospel of peace, and put truth all around me. I take up the shield of faith, to see past the circumstances, keeping my eyes on the author and perfecter of faith and the promises of God. Now, be strengthened in faith and take up the sword of the Spirit the word of God. "Be vigilant, stand in the faith, courageously grow strong." One needs to be courageous, to commit wholeheartedly, as you can't go half hearted into this fight.

to this called, because Christ also suffered on behalf of you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.*

The word suffering means to suffer, to be acted on such to cause mourning, sorrow, sadness, grief. Jesus suffered, he was so grieved that he sweated blood in his hour. Now, God is sovereign is he not? could he have prevented the suffering of Christ? the sifting of Peter? Could not God cease our suffering and afflictions? And what about persecution? Why must we follow in His footsteps to suffer? It discipline so to share in His divine character but also to grow strong in the Lord so we may syrenthen others. This strength Paul prays that we would find, "what is the surpassing greatness of his power available for us who believe, according to the exercise of his mighty strength."*

And the God of all grace, the one who has called you into his eternal glory in Christ, after suffering briefly, himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.*

We are chosen, called to glory and holiness, to be transformed from glory to glory, to be conformed into the image of His Son. He gives us strength accordingly, "so that according to the riches of his glory he may give you strength, power through his Spirit in your inner being, "* His grace is sufficient in this as it is His power perfecting, maturing us into the image of Christ. This is what God purposed in Christ and what the discipline of God is working out. Our Father is working out all things for our good according to this purpose. We are called to endure suffering accordingly, "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, for the display of all endurance and patience; while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who qualified you to share of the inheritance..."* In the persecution, there is a blessing. In enduring the trial we receive the work of endurance; maturity.* Maturity is lacking in nothing; restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established in the might of His strength. For when we have stood the test, we will receive a crown of life.* We are called to be strong and courageous, to share in his holy character, and to enter into our inheritance as sons.

Now God is the one who strengthens us, together with you, in Christ, and has anointed us,*

Paul three times was beaten with rods, and three times shipwrecked. Once he spent a night and a day adrift on the sea. Aftereards the shipwreck he was bitten by a poisonous snake.
Frequently he came into danger on his journeys from nature, bandits, and false brothers. He endured extra hardships working hard with his hands to provide for his own needs and his ministry, so to not cause others to stumble. He hungered and thirsted, was cold and naked, and was daily pressured caring for the churches.* Another time some Jews stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city thinking he was dead, but while the disciples gathered around him he rose up and went back into the city.* The next day they went about preaching the gospel in that city and making many disciples. They continued on to other cities, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to endure in faith saying through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."* Paul was content in hardships, because in the weakness he learned to find strength in the Lord.

for whenever I am weak then I am strong.*

Paul could rejoice and sing when thrown into prison. "I gladly boast in my weakness so that the power of Christ dwells in me, for this reason, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ." How could Paul boast in weaknesses? "for whenever I am weak then existing strong," so knowing that the power of Christ dwelt within, strengthening him. So we see in Paul the purpose of suffering, to "grow strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength."* And in this, we see how to fulfill the greatest commandment of loving God with all our strength, which can only be done from His might, the ability of His strength. The disciples who had been strengthened then traveled strengthening the churches.* "So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in number daily."* Those who grow strong strengthen the church. 

therefore strengthen the drooping hands and the weaken knees and make straight the paths of your feet so that what is lame is not dislocated but greatly healed.*

If your physical knee is weak, would you go off on the hilly, rocky path to help others? no, unless you want to hurt yourself further. So it is with the spiritual; there is a time to be strengthened and a time to strengthen others. How can the weak strengthen others? Jesus daid it is not the strong who need a physician but the weak.* It glorifies God that you be strong bearing much fruit rather than weak bearing a little fruit. It is God's will that we are vessels restored, established, confirmed, and strong rather than broken and weak, so grow strong. Stay on the straight path in regards to holiness, trusting in God, and petitioning in prayer. God is qualifying you to be called a son, and the discipline of God is working this out, training in godliness, which seems unpleasant at the time but bears peaceful fruit of righteousness.* If you are in training to be strengthened, stay on the straight path. If strengthened to serve then do it from the strength that God supplies, so that God is glorified.*

Be alert, now, at all times praying so that strengthened to escape all these things that will take place, and stand before the Son of Man.*

Possibly life here on earth is a trial, will I choose good or evil? Will I stand or not. And if I can't stand against evil here how will I be able to stand before the righteous Son of God on that day? So we pray that we grow strong in the Lord to stand before and on that day, holy and blameless in his presence in love. Finally, grow strong in the might of his strength. Put on the armor of God, persevere, growing strong, and be warriors who pray, "through all prayer and petition, pray in all suitable situations in the Spirit and to this keep alert in all perseverance and petitioning for the saints."* We grow strong when we learn to stand. and to stand one needs strength dependent upon God's might. Growing strong ourselves we will have the ability to strengthen others. Strengthening others is dependant upon our own strength in Christ and upon prayerful petitioning for help for ourselves and others who need to be strengthened. Grow strong.

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