Divine Competency

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God….

2 Corinthians 3:5

It is our sincere desire to be competent in the things that matter. One of the most discouraging feelings in the world is to be incompetent. For those of us who labor to minister to others, at any level, there is that great desire to do so with skill and ability. Regardless of what our place is in the Body of Christ, we want to be able to effectively do good to those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Apostle Paul felt this keenly. He was also aware of his own natural inability. In our text for today, he sets forth the truth about himself, and about us all. He says, ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God….’ Here is sober truth as well as great encouragement for us all. To face facts, we are not competent in and of ourselves to effectively do good unto those whom we encounter. Our competency comes from God. Most specifically, our competency comes from Christ. Christ affirmed it when He said, ‘Without me you can do nothing.’ Would I be competent to counsel; then Christ must make me wise.  Would I be competent to encourage; then Christ must make me, ‘the son of consolation.’ Would I ‘cease not to teach and preach Jesus Christ,’ then Christ must be to me ‘both mouth and matter.’ Would I be powerful in my intercession; then Christ must make me a prayer warrior. There is not one of us who is ‘sufficient of ourselves to things anything as of ourselves.’ No, ‘Our sufficiency is of God.’ He, and He Alone can make us truly competent in every way that matters.

Our King, our God and our Savior,
we rejoice that You enable us in all the areas where we are unable.
Continue to do Your great work in us,
in order that You may do Your great work through us.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning