Power to Play Your Position

"Women of dominion…have been appointed to undertake a wonderful life mission. God has called them to take on grand projects which will nobly touch lives in earth-shaking ways. Sure, they’ll encounter pain and thorns and thistles in the process. Sure, they’ll need to exercise Herculean discipline and self-denial. But the wonderful final-day revelation will leave them with no regrets.” p. 47
 
It’s not easy playing our position. We encounter “pain and thorns and thistles.” We have to contend with the triple threat of the world, the enemy, and remaining sin in our hearts.
 
Mr. Chanski outlines the dangers--how we are deceitfully assaulted with lies that, if believed and embraced, will hinder us from “winning it.” He exposes both the evil root of these lies as well as their potentially serious consequences. But how we can we resist these “contemporary lies”? How can we possibly overcome the triple threat and play our position to the glory of God?
 
We can’t. Not on our own anyways. We need the power of Jesus Christ.
 
“To this end I toil” writes Paul about his passion to help the Colossians reach maturity in Christ. But how does he do it? “Struggling with all [Christ’s] energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Col. 1:29)
 
We cannot conquer sin or “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” on our own (Eph. 6:16). But the good news is that if we have repented and believed in Jesus Christ, we aren’t struggling on our own. We are struggling with Christ’s energy that “powerfully” works within us. We can “win it” only by relying on “the strength that God supplies” (1 Pet. 4:10-11). And He will be faithful to supply all the strength we need.
 
There’s much more that I could say about the Holy Spirit’s power at work in the believer’s heart and our own responsibility to depend upon that power. But I want to recommend a little book that has helped me immensely in this regard. I’ve mentioned it before: The Bookends of the Christian Life by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. This book has simple, yet profound counsel for applying the gospel to every day life—including our efforts to grow in womanly dominion. I think you’ll find it a wonderful companion to our current study.
 
So as you seek to resist the “flaming darts of the evil one” and “play your position” for the glory of God, may you abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
 
We’re moving on to chapter four next week!