 |
 |
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
| >>> | |||||
2 Corinthians 3:5 - We Are Sufficient In Christ.2 Corinthians 3:5 (NKJV) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV) Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT) It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (AMP) Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. INTRODUCTION Paul was not boasting; he was giving God the credit for all his accomplishments. While the false teachers boasted of their own power and success, Paul expressed his humility before God. No one can claim to be adequate without God's help. No one is competent to carry out the responsibilities of God's calling in his or her own strength. Without the Holy Spirit's enabling, our natural talent can carry us only so far. As Christ's witnesses, we need the character and special strength that only God gives. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Trying to play defense to every challenge to our faith can feel overwhelming. But thanks be to God, our ultimate defense isn't all up to us. In fact, the best defense we have is to lean into the all-sufficiency of Jesus. When we start from this source, we suddenly have access to the highest level of protection and provision. Sufficiency means that Jesus is enough. He is all we need to fulfill God's greatest purposes for our lives. Jesus is not deficient in anything. He is not lacking or inadequate or meager or poor. He's fully competent, fully abounding. Thanks to Jesus, we sit at a banquet table every day - our cups are constantly overflowing. Jesus is the One who fights the battles for us. Yes, we have some responsibility. We submit to Jesus' plan. We resist the devil by using His Spirit's power within us. We align ourselves with the person and work of Jesus Christ. Yet it's always Jesus who ultimately works on our behalf. Not us. That's why we can trust and depend on Him today. Dear Jesus, I believe that You are more than enough for everything I need today. Help me to trust more deeply in Your truth. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] COMMENTARY Christ did not tell His disciples that their work would be easy. He showed them the vast confederacy of evil arrayed against them. They would have to fight "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12. But they would not be left to fight alone. He assured them that He would be with them; and that if they would go forth in faith, they should move under the shield of Omnipotence. He bade them be brave and strong; for One mightier than angels would be in their ranks - the General of the armies of heaven. He made full provision for the prosecution of their work and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. Go to all nations, He bade them. Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe and be assured that My presence will be with you even there. Labor in faith and confidence; for the time will never come when I will forsake you. I will be with you always, helping you to perform your duty, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, sustaining you, giving you success in speaking words that shall draw the attention of others to heaven. AA 29 ILLUSTRATION Every January, we host a fun run at our home in New Hampshire. Thirty to forty people from my husband's running club arrive at 8 a.m. on a Saturday, run five to ten miles, and then come back to our house for a hot breakfast with all the fixings. My husband, John, is fiercely independent and insists on doing all the cooking and setup himself, no matter how many times I offer to help. Despite his best intentions, there are always several things he overlooks. When I see them, I don't ask anymore - I just jump in and help. Every year, after our guests leave, John tells me how he couldn't have done it without me. During the pandemic, his need for help went to a whole new level. Having to abide by social distancing, food had to be served from our garage, with club members eating in the driveway, huddled around firepits to stay warm in the nine-degree weather. Hosting from the garage created a slew of complications John never anticipated. Once again, I jumped in and helped. As usual, he thanked me afterward for helping in ways he hadn't even known he needed. Life can be a lot like our fun run. With fierce independence, we try to go it alone, despite Jesus being at our side, ready and willing to help. It's only when we look back, after the fact, that we see how His grace was at work, helping us in ways we hadn't even known to ask for. Claire McGarry Faith Step: Reflect back on something you've accomplished and identify where God was the source of your competence. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY John 15:5 - ABIDING IN JESUS. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240531-1034.html 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Gods Amazing Grace. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240517-0905.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |