Sunday, July 1, 2018

I Can

I Can


Pride lurks deep within the sin nature of all people (that includes Christians). And because of this, there is always the possibility that we might start to view His power as our ability. This possibility represents a clear and present danger in our relationships with God, the church and the world. Therefore, we must prayerfully examine ourselves on an ongoing basis to ensure that we are not letting pride enter and corrupt our understanding and perspectives about who God is and who we are.

Have you ever felt or believed that:


I can earn God’s favor.
  • Romans 3:27-28 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
    • Our Standing – Our righteous position before God is based on our faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ to pay our sin debt and to bring us into a reconciled relationship with Father God. God is not indebted to us for what we do for Him. We can’t earn His love – it is given freely. Genuine faith in Him is the key to this love relationship.
      • Also read Ephesians 2:8-9
I can live a God-honoring life because of my dedication and efforts.
  • Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
    • Our Testimony – Whether it is the victories we experience over the sin in our lives, or other things we do (or don’t do) that bring glory to God, it is not in our human nature to reverence Him. It is the presence, power and purpose of His Holy Spirit that calls, convicts and enables us to live according to the truth and standards revealed in His Word. The life we live in reverential awe and respect for Father God is a result of Him working in us, not us working for Him.
      • Also read Hebrews 13:20-21
I can figure out the deep meanings and correct application of God’s Word on my own.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
    • Our Understanding – The Bible is full of true stories, historical facts, straightforward teachings, sensible standards, and much more that we can intellectually process, understand and apply to our lives with the help of pastors, teachers, other Christians and personal Bible Study. But comprehending, embracing and exemplifying the eternal truths and deep spiritual realities of scripture is only possible through a submissive encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. Praise God for His teaching ministry.
      • Also read Ephesians 1:15-17
I can convince someone that they should surrender their life to Jesus.
  • John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
    • Our Influence – No matter how eloquent, organized, passionate, convincing, persistent, etc. we may be, we are not able to talk someone into genuine saving faith in Jesus. Salvation results when a sovereign act meets submissive obedience. Father God draws a person to Christ with the gift of saving faith. When that person humbly accepts this gift and responds by surrendering all that they are to the Lordship of Jesus, they are spiritually reborn and adopted into the family of God. We are responsible for sharing the truth of the Bible through our words and our lives. We are not responsible for the results of another person’s encounter with God.
      • Also read John 1:12-13

Do you think that you love the unlovable because you are just that awesome? Are you convinced that you are putting other’s needs above your own because of your natural selfless desire to serve humanity? Have you started to believe that your merciful nature is why you forgive the unforgivable? If so, you have forgotten who you really are apart from God.
  • Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Anything and everything good in us comes from Him.
  • John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
  • 2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

To what in your life are you saying that,
‘I can!’,

When you should be praying that,
‘God will!’?


Be honest with yourself and God. Turn from your pride and confess this sin. He is faithful and just to forgive your sins!


Prayer

Father, help Your children thoroughly examine themselves. Show us any pride that may have crept into our lives. Cleanse us of this sin as we turn from it, turn to You, and confess our shortcomings. Help us to humbly and thankfully keep our eyes on You at all times. Help us to never forget that everything good is a gift from You. Please use Your Spirit and Your Word to empower and enable us through the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. To You be the glory. I pray this all in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.