The Strong Heart

Aim: To get stronger hearts, by grace, as we trust in Christ for all His abundant provision.

Doctrine: It is God's determined end to make churchmen strong. He achieves this despite our inherent weaknesses, and through our sanctified weaknesses.

Exegesis: God's means for developing strong-hearted children: prayer—even as Paul petitions God for us (vv. 14-15); the Spirit—who applies grace to us (based on God's attributes) (v. 16); faith—which fetches Christ to our hearts (v. 17a).

Further application: Why a strong heart is worth the attainment: because it ushers us into a fuller experience of God's love, and it builds Christlike character.

Key verses: vv. 16-17a ''...That [God] would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...''