You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
20 Now[de] unto him that is able[dunamai] to do[poieo] exceeding[huper] abundantly[ek][perissos] above[huper] all[pas] that[hos] we ask[aiteo] or[e] think,[noeo] according to[kata] the
power[dunamis] that worketh[energeo] in[en] us,[hemin]KJV-Interlinear
20 Now to
Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us, NASB
Him, is Jesus Christ.
Who is able, means that Jesus Christ who is God and man in the one and only unique person in all of existence and beyond. Then Christ is able, due to His omnipotent power and ability, to do anything and everything.
Exceeding abundantly. Where exceeding means beyond, and abundant means beyond anything and everything that anyone could possibly need or want in all of eternity. Therefore, this comes to means infinite.
Above all we can ask or think, means that God can do far beyond our ability to even imagine, beyond our wants, beyond our needs, beyond anything and everything even imaginable.
And, now pay attention here, He does these things, and is able to do these things, in accordance with the very power that is at work within us.
And what exactly is that power? Bible doctrine, the very same doctrine that you are reading and studying right now.
But how can that be? When all we are doing is reading words!
We are not eating magic pills, working out with iron weights, drinking super drinks. We are just reading.
But is that really all there is to Bible study? No.
The spiritual life and spiritual growth and spiritual power are more than just reading words. If that were all, then anyone, even unbelievers would have that power. But there is more to the spiritual life.
Remember that the key to the spiritual life is being in fellowship.
Because when in fellowship, the Holy Spirit takes the words that you read, makes them perspicuous and clear, uses them to build a spiritual structure within your soul, incorporates them into your thoughts and motives and daily life, and builds up bit by bit, spiritual muscle and faith in you.
Doctrine, through the power of the Spirit, which is what you have when in fellowship, opens the door of a direct audience with God. And that opens up your eyes to knowledge and understanding and wisdom, and more.
The function of doctrine in your soul is more than just your prayers, it is your moment by moment pattern of life and thoughts while you are in fellowship, plus the building of a super structure within your soul.
Being in fellowship more and more, aids in the empowerment of your spiritual life and the acceleration of your spiritual growth.
Note that this power must work in us. That means it has to be in us, before it can work in us. And in order to have something in you, you need to learn it, study it, use it, understand it, retain it, and keep on doing that over and over, day after day, throughout your entire life.
Christ is God, and if He does something by means of a power, and that power is in us, then that means that what is in us, or is forming in us, is extremely valuable, powerful, and should not be taken lightly.
But then, most folks simply do not take Bible doctrine seriously, and that is why they will fail in their life, their spiritual life. And it is their spiritual life that will exist forever, so that too is beyond value and power and is being tossed aside.
So the big question probably is, 'Why would people give up so easily, on something that is so valuable and powerful.'
One day, in heaven, in eternity, you could possess this very same attribute, but then one day you could not.
It all depends on your attitude now. So what exactly is your attitude? Do you believe it? Will you pursue it? Or, like most folks, will you mock or ho-hum it?
