'The real power comes from God and not from us.' 2 Corinthians 4:7 CEV
I love the scripture in 2 Corinthians because it reminds me that it is all God! I can't do anything in myself other than what God empowers me to do. As we have walked our path the last two weeks with Amy's health issues, we have learned to lean on His power in a much greater way. Step by step putting our faith in His word, His power, His love.
Paul says, 'We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV) God's power comes from His written word and supernatural action. Some people don't read the Bible because they think it's all about saintly people whose lives have no bearing on reality.
If you feel that way, read the book of Genesis. The dysfunctional families there will make yours seem normal! Cain was jealous of his brother Abel so he murdered him. Lamech introduced the world to polygamy. Noah, the most righteous man of his time, got drunk and cursed his children. When the men of Sodom wanted the two angels who visited Lot, in order to save himself Lot offered them sex with his daughters instead. And the Bible still refers to him as 'godly'! (2 Peter 2:7) Abraham slept with his wife's maid, got her pregnant and then banished her and her son to the wilderness because his wife Sarah complained about 'the other woman'. Jacob's firstborn son Reuben slept with one of his father's wives. The list goes on ad infinitum.
The question is: why would God include this cast of characters in the Bible? To make the point that we're all flawed in some way! We like to think we're normal, but by God's definition we fall far short. We will never be able to be perfect in His eyes. It's only through the blood of Christ are we made perfect in His eyes. We all have habits we struggle with, past mistakes we can't undo, and inherent tendencies we can't overcome without His help. God said, 'My power shows up best in weak people.' (2 Corinthians 12:9 TLB) You say, 'But shouldn't I strive to be better?' Yes, but if God only used perfect people, He would never call anyone to work with Him.
You are loved!
I love the scripture in 2 Corinthians because it reminds me that it is all God! I can't do anything in myself other than what God empowers me to do. As we have walked our path the last two weeks with Amy's health issues, we have learned to lean on His power in a much greater way. Step by step putting our faith in His word, His power, His love.
Paul says, 'We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV) God's power comes from His written word and supernatural action. Some people don't read the Bible because they think it's all about saintly people whose lives have no bearing on reality.
If you feel that way, read the book of Genesis. The dysfunctional families there will make yours seem normal! Cain was jealous of his brother Abel so he murdered him. Lamech introduced the world to polygamy. Noah, the most righteous man of his time, got drunk and cursed his children. When the men of Sodom wanted the two angels who visited Lot, in order to save himself Lot offered them sex with his daughters instead. And the Bible still refers to him as 'godly'! (2 Peter 2:7) Abraham slept with his wife's maid, got her pregnant and then banished her and her son to the wilderness because his wife Sarah complained about 'the other woman'. Jacob's firstborn son Reuben slept with one of his father's wives. The list goes on ad infinitum.
The question is: why would God include this cast of characters in the Bible? To make the point that we're all flawed in some way! We like to think we're normal, but by God's definition we fall far short. We will never be able to be perfect in His eyes. It's only through the blood of Christ are we made perfect in His eyes. We all have habits we struggle with, past mistakes we can't undo, and inherent tendencies we can't overcome without His help. God said, 'My power shows up best in weak people.' (2 Corinthians 12:9 TLB) You say, 'But shouldn't I strive to be better?' Yes, but if God only used perfect people, He would never call anyone to work with Him.
You are loved!
No comments:
Post a Comment