Skip to main content

Not Enough

  His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (II Peter 1:3-4)

 

I’ve told the story before of arguing with God (in the logical, not the emotional sense) about not being a jogger, or a poet, or “good enough” or “ready” because I didn’t have something, didn’t do something, didn’t something something necessary to be whatever I was denying. Then this verse says that God has already given me everything I need for a godly life. Oh, maybe He gave everyone else what they needed. Clearly, He missed me in the shuffle. Someone else must have a double dose.

I’m exaggerating - a tiny bit. I suspect I’m not the only one who thinks, “I have everything I need? Is He crazy?” Just to start with, I don’t have, don’t do, don’t something …and the long list begins for how I am ill-equipped to live a godly life. As I considered this claim this morning, it came to mind that a “godly life” probably doesn’t really look the way I think it looks. In my arguments with God, I not only couldn’t convince Him that I wasn’t a jogger or a poet. I couldn’t convince myself. Likewise, when it comes to this claim that I have everything I need, I can’t really convince myself. Paul says God’s divine power has given us everything we need. So, what I need isn’t something I bring to the table. What I need comes through our knowledge of Him and through His glory and goodness, which results in His giving us promises through which we may participate in divine nature.

None of what we are told involves anything inherent in us. In response to our complaints that we are not strong enough, loving enough, courageous enough, faithful enough, patient enough, wise enough, rich enough, free enough, young enough, old enough, educated enough … or something else enough, God has an answer:

                                        “Yes, but I AM.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more