God has made you and me adequate.
God … made us adequate as servants of a new covenant.(2 Corinthians 3:6)
He has given us abundance for every good deed.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.(2 Corinthians 9:8–10)
So … do you feel adequate? Do you think you have an abundance for every good deed?
I don’t. You probably don’t either.
We know God’s Word is truth. But we don’t see ourselves as adequate or having abundance for good deeds.
This is a case of what is termed “Already-but-Not-Yet.” We already are saved. We already have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
The “Not Yet” part is that we are in the process of being saved from the power of sin (sanctification). We are in the process of learning to walk in the newness of life. We are being transformed into the image of Christ. We’re getting there, but we are not there yet.
Our adequacy is a truth, but it is also a process. It is an example of “Already- but-Not-Yet.”
Already
We are saved (John 3:16)
We are children of God
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.(John 1:12)
We have access to God’s throne (Hebrew 4:16)
The Holy Spirit lives in us
The Holy Spirit who dwells in us …(2 Timothy 1:14)
Christ is praying for us (See Jesus is Praying for You)
The Holy Spirit is praying for us (See The Holy Spirit is Praying for You)
We have God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
But Not Yet: We Must Become More Adequate
Pray! We can approach God with confidence. In order to serve Him and meet our challenges we must pray.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Rely! We are not adequate in ourselves, so we must learn to rely on God and not ourselves. Be humble.
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.(2 Corinthians 3:5)
Learn! God’s grace is sufficient. When we don’t rely on ourselves, when we know we’re weak and He is strong, we learn His awesome power.
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Corinthians 12:9–10)
Grow! We must grow in the knowledge of God. Knowing His Word, the Bible, is key. Determine to study the Bible regularly and deeply.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.(2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Praise God
For the opportunities He gives us to serve Him,
For the challenges He gives us to rely on Him,
For the grace He gives in abundance.
