Philippians 2:13 AMPC
[13] [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
Paul, who wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, would know the value of the strength that is only available in and through God. He was a man who had zeal for his land and for the customs and traditions of Judaism. He would defend this position with all his might, even giving comfort, help and support to those who would stone Stephen to death. On the way to commit even further atrocities, he met with Christ, and his life turned around. The man who could not stand anything to do with Christ now took a public stand for Christ. He would do all He could do to promote the cause and the message of Christ. That is what a personal encounter and experience with Christ can do to you. It does not matter the level of atrocities committed in the past, or how dirty your past is; there is no stain or blemish of sin that the blood of Jesus cannot clean up.
When a man comes to Christ and surrenders his life, it is not so much about what you have done, but the grace of God that has been made available. It is grace that makes it very possible for a mortal, sinful man to approach an immortal, holy God. It is grace that allows a sinner come before the throne of God's mercy and access grace that would not have otherwise been available due to sin. In all of these things, where is the place of strength or personal labour? Where is the place of self, achievements or qualifications? Where is the place of promotion of all that the natural man celebrates? When a man surrenders to God, what he is saying is that he acknowledges he is helpless without God. It is an admission that whatever God does not do will not get done any other way. All that I get done is not so much of my labour but God working in and through me to get things done.
He will birth the desire to do His will, and He will also supply the enablement and guidance I need to achieve His will. He will not leave me to fend for myself, or grope in the dark without adequate guidance. As God Himself said in Isaiah, He will not bring to the birth and then not cause to bring forth? He will not start a project that He is unable or unwilling to complete. That is why He is called the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is critical to note here that God's will is the focus here, not my own desires or devices. Let it not be that I want to elevate my own desires to the level of God's will. He will guide, but He will not force Himself on me. He will direct, but He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He will not leave or forsake me, but I have to focus on Him alone.There is no room for alternative realities. It has to be God or nothing else. Can this be said of me? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment