“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” – 2 Cor. 3:5
While ignorance of God will is a major problem it isn’t the only problem. Knowledge alone isn’t the whole solution. There must be a willingness to do God’s will. Many who know the Word aren’t doers of the Word. But it takes even more than desire. The fact of the matter is this – you don’t have what it takes to do all that God demands. None of us do. We are all in need of divine help. We need the kind of help that God alone can provide. And it’s essential that we live in the awareness of that fact. Anyone who thinks their ability and best effort is enough is kidding themselves. It’s not even a close call. None of us are anywhere near able to live up to the demands of discipleship. I’m not saying effort isn’t important or necessary. I’m saying it isn’t enough.
For us to succeed we must have help. Accomplishing our mission requires a miracle. God requires us to live by a standard that is higher than we can reach. But that doesn’t mean we are helpless. What God requires He supplies. As Paul said, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” ( Phil. 2:13). That should thrill us.
Success in life depends on us only in the sense that we must surrender ourselves unto God, enabling Him to enable us. We must depend upon God to work in us,through us, and for us. Then we can say with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” ( Phil. 4:13). What we do for Christ can only be done through Christ. We are fools to think that everything depends on us. We face the impossible every day. Thankfully our God is sufficient. There is victory in Jesus – keep your eyes on Him ( 2 Cor. 3:18). “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” ( 2 Cor. 9:8) – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
