Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NIV)
Praise Jesus that when we look in Scripture - into the mirror of God’s perfect love - we discover the most wonderful description. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) tells us: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” This description helps us lean into and depend upon – the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling every true believer in Christ Jesus. It is He Who equips us to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel we proclaim. Flesh will fail us every time.
The Apostle Paul was excellent in many ways and yet, through the power of the Spirit, he counted his life worth nothing in comparison to the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. He walked in a manner worthy of the Gospel he proclaimed - as we all are to do – through Christ’s power and for His glory and not his own. Therein is the rub. Mere flesh is not equipped for glory. It often puffs up with it. Man was not made for glory – only God is deserving of this. And believers are to live our lives for an audience of One.
We are to desire what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God and that is for us to walk as Jesus did. Our souls were made for excellent things and that is to become more and more like Christ. When we choose to walk as Jesus did - Who was humble and lowly in heart – depending upon the indwelling power of the Spirit – it wipes away the grit and grime of self-sufficiency and self-confidence as well as pride and seeking vain glory for ourselves. Truly what do we have that we did not receive and if we did receive it, how on earth can we boast? A heart that is tender towards the Holy Spirit’s leading is pliable, yielding, and sensible. When we depend upon self we will find ourselves wanting. We must fix our eyes on Jesus as He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. When we choose “self” for our sufficiency – gazing in the mirror of the enemy’s lies – our lives become distorted. But where the Spirit is, there is freedom, love and transformation. It is God Who is all sufficient, not us. To live a life worthy of the Lord He must do it through us. He is the all-sufficient One. God can bring healing to our broken stories so that we in turn may live for Him. God desires for us to have a good story, based on His abundant love and power. We need only to come.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”** Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)**