Scripture:
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 ESV
[4] Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. [5] Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, [6] who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Observation:
I believe we will be brief this morning.
Not that I don’t feel like there is something to say about this scripture. Because I believe it’s packed full of godly wisdom. I’m just in a strange place this morning. Paul is talking to the Corinthians. This is the second letter to themHe wants them to know where their confidence, if any, should come from. Telling them that in and of themselves, they have no reason to boast. In their own power, they can not be who they need to be. If they are going to be confident in anything, it needs to be what christ has done. Only through HIM are they able. HE made them enough, HIS sacrifice moved the things pit of the way that held them back from understanding the new covenant that is led by the Holy Spirit. The letter of the law was only good for one thing… to bring death. But the Spirit of the Law is love, and love brings life.
Application:
I’m just going to be completely honest here. Every morning, when I get up and pray about the SOAP. I’m confronted with the fact that I am just not enough. I can’t spell. I don’t know how to write and left to myself. There would not be one period or question mark. In short, you are reading a SOAP truly put together by the Holy Spirit. Because I am just not smart enough to do this. I dropped out of school in the 9th grade. Addiction and a lack of desire to learn how to read, write, and do anything productive with my life was the driving force. In fact, up until a short time ago, I still not only didn’t have a desire but didn’t know how to read. The Holy Spirit taught me. When I picked up the bible. I’m not sure how it happened, but I know that it did. Let me explain what I’m saying. In and of myself, I am insufficient. I can not do what HE has called me to do. Now I say that to say this. HE is always going to call you to a place that… by your own ability, you will not be able to reach. You might be asking why HE would do that. Well, let me explain. GOD made you. HE knows how HE made you and what HE made you for. HE knows what you can and can’t do, and he placed you where you are so that HE can use you for HIS glory… and that my friends is why HE would put an Illiterate 9th grade dropout that hooked on Chronic Works for me in a place to write a devotion every morning. It’s not for my glory. I don’t do it. I’m not smart enough, nor do I have the ability. Everything you read every morning is not from me. I am only a vessel, a clay pot. It’s easily broken. Any sufficiency I have comes from HIM. HE has made me a minister of HIS gospel. For HIS glory. Through the Holy Spirit. Just so we understand clearly where I am coming from. I AM NOT ENOUGH you are not enough. Nor will we ever be. BUT… HE IS!!! in fact, HE is more than enough. If HE has called you to do something, you don’t think you can do your right, YOU can’t, but HE can, and if you can get out of the way and let HIM use you you can be a small part of HIS amazing plan. A plan that will bring redemption restoration and salvation to all those HE places you around. Your value is in what HE can do through you… not what has happened to you. If you rest on your sufficiency, you will be found lacking… but if you know that through HIM, you are more than sufficient, you will see mountains move and be can’t into the sea.
Prayer:
Father, sometimes it’s hard to understand why we are where we are. Knowing that it’s not about what we can do but what you want to do through us helps us to see that we are part of a bigger plan. Our lives are not about our ability. We are just clay pots. Our value is in you. Our sufficiency is found in what you have already done, not in what you are calling us to do. Your plan is so much bigger than us. It reaches through time and spans generations. You are so much bigger than we could ever think. Where we are not enough, you are more than enough. Help us to see that we are right … WE CAN’T… but you can… a d if we are willing, you will use us to do so. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.