Strength Instead of Weakness

Ellet J. Waggoner

The Signs of the Times : December 28, 1888

Physiologists tell us that a well-set broken bone of a healthy person becomes stronger than before it was broken. The new process which unites the part is stronger than the parts united. There is a precious thought here for those struggling against special sins. That sin may be born in a man, inherited from a long list of ancestors; its power in him may be made strong by yielding to it, till by it Satan leads him captive at will. It is the man’s weak point. The disposition which leads to the commission of the sin is the weakness of his otherwise strong character. It is not the sin which weakens; it is the disposition, the underlying selfishness, from which the sin springs. Realizing this, knowing by the law and Spirit of God and our own repeated failures our own weakness, our broken character, we can come boldly to the great Physician, place our case entirely in his hands, and “out of weakness” be “made strong.” Hebrews 11:34. The weak point in our characters can through grace become our strong one. The hatred of all sin will be more fully developed when the power of the besetting sin is seen; and God’s grace will never seem so precious, nor his love so strong, as when viewed from the victor’s side of vanquished sin. Therefore “brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10