Our Sufficiency is of God

II Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”

This is a necessary lesson for each of us to attempt to understand and apply. “Our sufficiency is of God.” The devil does not want us to grasp this simple truth, and he distorts it’s message in numerous ways. To be totally dependent on God is one key to discovering our true potential. Some people are deceived into believing the lie that they are capable of doing the Lord’s work in their own energy or power. In their misguided pride, they depend on their own wisdom and ability and live in a world of self-sufficiency. This kind of life will produce little, if any, eternal fruit. Whatever we do in the power of our own flesh, even in the name of Christian service, will not be recognized and rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

We need Christ’s wisdom and strength to do His will. If we are deceived into believing that we are sufficient in ourselves, we are mistaken. Herein lies the cause of frustration for many professing Christians. They think that somehow they should be able to obey and serve Christ in their own ability, and yet they often fail. They look at other believers who appear to have a measure of victory in their lives, and they wonder to themselves why that same victory is not a part of their experience

At the other end of the spectrum, the devil convinces some of God’s people that they are incapable of doing God’s service, even with His help. They become persuaded that they are absolutely helpless, no matter what, to serve God acceptably. In their minds, they believe that others are able to find and fulfill God’s will, but they themselves are not. Of course, this is not true. As Paul said to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

The Lord strengthens and enables us to do His will and to accomplish that which we would not be able to do in our own strength. The Bible never declares that we are expected to satisfy God’s will in our own might or ability. It is this life of faith and complete dependence on Him that pleases the Heavenly Father, and it is this life that will result in His receiving great glory. We, too, can learn that God is our sufficiency.