Monday, September 14, 2009

Sufficient? Me? Nope.

Sometimes when Paul writes (actually when any of those who penned the Scriptures write) they construct things so well, so clearly, so obviously parallel to my own experience that I can feel the truth without even thinking about it. Thus 2 Corinthians 3.5. Am I sufficient to do the things God has called me to do? Am I competent to reach teens for Christ? To love my wife? To help my kids grow in Christ? Answer: (Resoundingly—No). I used to think that I was, but life and experience disabused me of that notion.

This is why it is so comforting to hear Paul say that neither he, nor anyone else, is sufficient (competent) to claim that any of his work spreading the gospel comes from his own sufficiency. It does not. Bingo! I have the exact same testimony. What work for the gospel that gets done in my own life, comes from and is attributable to, God and God alone.

Adam Clarke, commenting on the passage, writes: We do not arrogate to ourselves any power to enlighten the mind or change the heart, we are only instruments in the hand of God.

Just so. Thank you, Lord, that I do not have to be sufficient, or competent, or wise, or smart, or impressive, or perfect. I am content to allow you to be all that, and use me as you see fit.

2 comments:

John Murphy said...

Wow, I really dislike using amen a lot...but this deserves a resounding "amen" and probably a "preach it brother" although I'm not in a church with no AC that hands out fans so strike the "preach it brother."

I think this is exactly why God calls bumbling idiots like myself. It's not very difficult for me to rely on God's sufficiency...and I'm definitely not bragging. He made me in a way that it's just about impossible not to give the glory to him. I'm absolutely amazed that God can use my stuttering, fumbling, adult ADD having self to call people to himself.

Murf said...

Interesting description of yourself! Funny, but in one way or another, it fits ALL OF US! Tough to find anything to brag about, isn't it! Other than, as Paul said, "in the gospel of Jesus Christ."