We put too much confidence in us! We have skills and smarts and we rely on them. The problem comes when our skills and smarts out-smart us and we miss Jesus. We think too much and try to reason our way through life. Our lives become empty shells, just going through the motioins. We depend on who we are rather than who "HE" is! No wonder our lives are so weak and sometimes, such a mess.
Paul found himself a man with smarts and a heritage beyond most of his contemporaries. If anyone could put confidence in his skills and smarts, it was Paul. Just read Phil. 3:2-6. But there is one thing Paul makes very clear, that he does not put any confidence in his flesh (Phil. 3:3). He glories in Christ Jesus and looks to Christ for His power. Paul surrendered himself completely into the hands of the Lord Jesus. His attitude toward his heritage, his skills and his smarts are summed up like this: "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ." (Phil. 3:7-8) How many of us look at us and our accomplishments in our flesh as rubbish? (Paul actually uses the Greek word 'skubalon' which means refuse, excrement from the body!) He gave his all into the hands of the Lord. Why? So he could be found in Jesus, not being self maintained or self righteous because he was following external commands but wanted the righteousness of Christ placed on him and to know the power of being resurrected into His life. (Phil 3:9-10)
What do we learn? This gives us great insight as to why we struggle so. We do not see Jesus for who He is. We never grasp His resurrected life that gives us His power and life. Think about this: the very power it took to raise up the dead body of Jesus to life, that same life giving, life resurrecting Spirit dwells in those in Christ Jesus! (Rom. 8:11) How much power does it take to raise someone from the dead? That's the power available to us! When we surrender ourselves completely into the hands of Jesus, that life giving power begins to work within. Our lives take on new meaning, new hope and a new direction. The things that once dominated us are overcome because Christ overcame and He lives in us. Maybe we need to read again Paul's words of encouragement written to the Philippians and realize by us living for us, we are cheating ourselves out of the life and power of the Lord! Maybe that's why so many fake it?!
1 comment:
I have thought about this entire writing for several days....but, especially what you wrote about God's power and the reality of His power... Thanks for sharing that. We do minimize His power. Often we "let go" of what we view as small trials, but when it is something "big" we hold on to it in fear...as if it is too big for the Lord. We limit His power and an opportunity to grow. Really understanding His power...thanks for helping us do that!!
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