“Our competence comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV
“Without God at work in your life, nothing truly works as it could.”
My thoughts today are about “credit where credit is due.”
Have you ever felt inadequate, but hoped no one else would think that about you? The answer most likely is yes! Everyone does. You know why? Because everyone is – at one time or another, and in one way or another. The answer is not your getting smarter, or working harder, or working smarter; the answer is your learning to trust in God’s abilities, not in your own. Of course, it is essential to realize that God’s empowering strength and ability is only available within the circle of His will and purpose.
One of my all time, favorite descriptions of God is this: “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT. Mull that over until you begin to grasp the immeasurable scope of God’s abilities. The answer to your ample inabilities is found always in God’s great ability.
“We say this because we have confidence in God through Christ. There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is God who made us capable.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Today’s English Version. Read that slowly and marvel at these words: “confidence – capable – capacity – made us capable!” Isn’t that what you really want to be? Of course, you do! Did you read the sharp contrast between “nothing in us” and “God made us capable”?
Without God at work in your life, nothing truly works as it could. Failures don’t struggle with that; they are all too painfully aware of their own inadequacies. Successful people do struggle with that! Successful people often point to lots of things as proof of their abilities and sufficiency. But is that so? People want to feel that their own cleverness and hard work has brought them their measure of success, with little or no help from God. Is there anything more small and unappreciative than to knowingly take credit for what someone else has done?
Here’s God’s warning. “For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in . . that is the time to be careful . . You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ Remember the Lord your God, for it is God who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Read Deuteronomy 8:6-20 NIV/NLT. Give glory to God!
I once heard it said, “A self-made man has a fool for his creator.” Only the arrogance of a fool would assume that God has little or nothing to do with their opportunities, favor, and accomplishments. It is the wisest of people who recognize God as the source of “whatever is good and perfect (that) comes to us from God above . .” James 1:17 NLT.
My prayer for you is that you celebrate every talent and give God the glory and praise.