Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. – Hebrews 11:1–3
To be strong on the Lord, you have assurance that you have received the things that God has promised even before you see it in the natural. This is what Hebrews 11:1-3 is saying to us.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. – 1 John 2:15–17
These verses give us clear direction that we shouldn’t love the world or anything in The world over God and His kingdom. Christian’s who are strong in the Lord make the decision to follow Christ regardless of the direction the majority of world is going.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13
As you continue to mature in Christ, your spirit will continue to be strengthened to see the way of escape that God makes for you so that we will not fall into temptation. This is also an indication that you are being Strong in the Lord.
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. – John 15:18–19
There are some people in the world who just won’t like Christian’s. It could be for many reasons, but one clear reason could be because Christianity causes the light to shine on their evil deeds and they don’t like it. And as a result they hate Christianity and anyone who stands for it. This verse prepares us for situations like this.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. – James 5:16–18
How is your prayer life? Can you spend time praying the word of God fervently? A sign of being strong in the Lord is being able to pray for yourself with power and that you see the results of your prayer.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5–6
This is the definitive verse on making mature spiritual decisions. To be strong in the Lord means that you acknowledge him in everything that you do. You don’t just rely on your own understanding but you submit to him. And He guides your decisions into the best possible outcome.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 2:4–7
This is a powerful reality that most Christian’s don’t fully understand. We have spiritual authority in this world because we are seated with Christ. Just as we read how Jesus executed his spiritual authority in many examples, we need to see ourselves in that same seat of authority as Jesus. The believer who is strong in the Lord knows their authority and uses it daily!