Lenny urges believers to move forward with Christ rather than remain trapped by past failures or become satisfied with biblical knowledge that has not become spiritual reality. God desires a distinctive, holy life that shows others whom we serve. Trials can expose the limits of knowledge alone and lead us to depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit, through whom Christ proves his faithfulness and strengthens our faith.
God has equipped his people for life and godliness, providing grace for daily circumstances and enabling them to act differently from the world. Believers are to work out their salvation with reverence, recognizing that God is at work within them to fulfill his purposes. As Paul learned, strength comes through Christ, especially in weakness and hardship. Each believer also has a stewardship and purpose in the circumstances God permits or provides. The central truth is “Christ in you,” the hope of glory. Lenny calls the church to know Christ intimately, live from his fullness, and trust the Spirit to make these truths real in everyday life.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.