J
Johann
Guest
"seen" This emphasis began in Phil. 3:17. As Paul followed Christ, believers are to follow him."i can do all things Through Christ".
"Practice these things" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, "keep on practicing these things!" Do not be just hearers, but doers (cf. Luke 11:28; James 1:22). It is very similar to the Hebrew concept, Shema (cf. Deut. 5:1; 6:4; 9:1; 20:3; 27:9-10), which meant "to hear so as to do." Christianity must not be turned into a creed isolated from daily godly living.
So why don't you practice what you preach brother?
"strengthens" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, "the one who continues to strengthen" (cf. Eph. 3:16; Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:17). Believers need to be strengthened by Christ. They also need to be strong (cf. 1 Cor. 16:13 Eph. 6:10; 2 Tim. 2:1). This is the paradoxical tension found so often in Scripture.
Christianity is a covenant; God initiates it and sets the conditions and privileges, but humans must respond and obey and continue! These believers were under internal and external pressure from false teachers and persecutors! As Paul was content in all circumstances, so must they be (and us, too).
You have a good day.