Maintaining a Spirit of Dependence on God's Strength

The concept of maintaining a spirit of dependence on God's strength is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the believer's reliance on God's power and grace. Ephesians 6:10 exhorts believers to "be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might" ^[1]. This dependence is not merely a passive state but an active posture of trust and obedience.

The biblical basis for this concept is multifaceted. It involves recognizing one's limitations and God's omnipotence. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, steadfastness is "secured by the power of God" ^[2]. This is echoed in various biblical passages, such as Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 1:5, which highlight God's role in maintaining believers in their faith ^[2]. The Psalmist expresses a similar sentiment, stating that those who trust in God will not forget His works but keep His commandments ^[4].

The importance of dependence on God is further underscored by the apostle Paul's prayers for the Ephesian and Colossian believers. He prayed that they might be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16) and "strengthened with all might" (Colossians 1:11) ^{[7, 8]}. These prayers indicate that believers need divine empowerment to live out their faith effectively.

In the view of various Christian traditions, maintaining a spirit of dependence on God's strength involves several key practices. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, notes that praying without ceasing is an expression of dependence on God, as it acknowledges one's need for His guidance and strength ^[6]. Similarly, Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, highlights the importance of waiting on God and trusting in His goodness ^{[9, 11]}.

The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, emphasizes the role of God's presence in strengthening believers. Commenting on Haggai 2:4, they note that the greatest strength comes from having Jehovah with us ^[10]. This presence is not just a feeling but a theological reality that undergirds the believer's confidence in God's power.

Different Christian traditions interpret the concept of dependence on God's strength in slightly varying ways, but they converge on the importance of humility and recognition of one's limitations. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, emphasizes the need for believers to be strengthened by God's Spirit to exercise grace, perform duties, and resist Satan ^{[7, 8]}. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to keep the faith and live a life pleasing to God ^{[5, 12]}.

In practice, maintaining a spirit of dependence on God's strength involves cultivating a deep sense of trust and obedience. Believers are encouraged to abide in God, as expressed in 1 John 3:24, where it is written that those who keep God's commandments remain in Him, and He in them ^[3]. This abiding relationship is characterized by a continuous reliance on God's power and guidance.

The historical development of this doctrine is evident in the writings of early Christian commentators and theologians. While the specific historical contexts may vary, the underlying theme of dependence on God's strength remains a constant thread throughout Christian tradition.

Sources

Ephesians “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. -- Ephesians 6:10”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
I John “I John 3:24 (BSB) — Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.”
Psalms “Psalms 78:7 (Geneva1599) — That they might set their hope on God, and not forget the workes of God but keepe his commandements:”
Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:21: Keep yourselves in the love of God - By building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; for without this we shall soon lose the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord - For although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.”
1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing - Ye are dependent on God for every good; without him ye can do nothing; feel that dependence at all times, and ye will always be in the spirit of prayer; and those who feel this spirit will, as frequently as possible, be found in the exercise of prayer.”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:15: That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory,.... Or according to, and out of that rich, plenteous, and glorious fulness of grace and strength in Christ Jesus. To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; this is the petition which the apostle puts up on his bended knees to the Father of Christ, that he would strengthen these saints, that so they might not faint at the tribulations which either he or they endured. Believers in Christ need fresh supplies of strength to enable them to exercise grace, to perform duties, to resist Sat”
Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:11: Strengthened with all might,.... This is still a continuation of the apostle's prayer for these believers; for having prayed for an increase of spiritual knowledge, and that this might be put into practice, he proceeds to pray for strength for them, that they might be enabled to practise what they had knowledge of; to walk worthily, to please God in all things, to bring forth fruit with patience, to persevere in knowledge, practice, fruitfulness, and in an increase thereof. It implies, that believers are weak in themselves, and insufficient to do or bear anything ”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 25:1: Here we have David's professions of desire towards God and dependence on him. He often begins his psalms with such professions, not to move God, but to move himself, and to engage himself to answer those professions. I. He professes his desire towards God: Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul, Psa 25:1. In the foregoing psalm (Psa 25:4) it was made the character of a good man that he has not lifted up his soul to vanity; and a call was given to the everlasting gates to lift up their heads for the King of glory to come in, Psa 25:1. To this character, to this ca”
Haggai (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Haggai 2:4: be strong . . . for I am with you--The greatest strength is to have Jehovah with us as our strength. Not in man's "might," but in that of God's Spirit (Zac 4:6).”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 130:5: Here, I. The psalmist engages himself to trust in God and to wait for him, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God, expressed in a climax, it being a a song of degrees, or ascents: "I wait for the Lord; from him I expect relief and comfort, believing it will come, longing till it does come, but patiently bearing the delay of it, and resolving to look for it from no other hand. My soul doth wait; I wait for him in sincerity, and not in profession only. I am an expectant, and it is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace and th”
2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:14: That good thing - The everlasting Gospel, keep by the Holy Ghost; for without a continual spiritual energy man can do nothing. This indwelling Spirit will make them effectual to thy own salvation, and enable thee to preach them to the salvation of the souls of others.”

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