Text: 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
There are times in life when everyone of us, no matter who we are, feels inadequate. We should not feel this way, especially as Christians, even though it is tempting at times. Why should we not feel inadequate? Paul explained that “our adequacy [sufficiency, KJV] is from God.”
Why We May Feel Inadequate
- Unrealistic expectations places upon us (by ourselves or others) – not due to laziness (Ecclesiastes 9:10), but we think we should be able to do more than we can realistically do; yet we can only do so much (cf. Ezekiel 28:2); God does not require more of us than we can do (2 Corinthians 8:12)
- Perception by others – they may unfairly judge us for certain reasons (background, past, etc.); yet we are not to be overly concerned with others’ opinion of us (1 Corinthians 4:3-4)
- We compare ourselves with others – remember that we all have strengths and weaknesses and this is by God’s design (1 Corinthians 12:14-27); it is foolish to compare ourselves with others (2 Corinthians 10:12); focus on serving Christ (John 21:18-22)
- Our past failings – we have all sinned in the past (Romans 3:23); Paul was foremost of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15); yet we cannot allow these failings to hinder us (Philippians 3:14)
Our Adequacy Is Not From Ourselves
- Paul knew that “we are not adequate in ourselves” (2 Corinthians 3:4) – yet we are tempted to think we are; this is the attitude of arrogance
- It is the idea that we do not need God (Revelation 3:17) – yet we can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5)
- This attitude leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18) – if we humble ourselves, God will exalt us (1 Peter 5:5-6)
Our Adequacy Is From God
- Rather than arrogance, this is the attitude of humility – needed to serve God faithfully (Proverbs 15:33); we are wholly dependent upon God (Acts 17:25; 1 Timothy 6:17; James 1:17)
- How are we adequate in God?
- We are His children (1 John 3:1) – we have the right to become such by faith (John 1:12)
- He is for us (Romans 8:31) – therefore, nothing can separate us from Him (Romans 8:31-39)
- He sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16) – we are justified by His blood and saved through Him (Romans 5:9)
- He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) – we lack nothing
- He has equipped us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – through the word He has revealed
- He has provided a way of escape for every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) – we never have to sin
- We can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)
- We have a home in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1)
- All of this is true as long as we are faithfully following God – since “our adequacy is from God,” we need to be doing His will (Matthew 7:21); if we are doing this, we can have “confidence…through Christ toward God” (2 Corinthians 3:4)
Conclusion
- There may be times when we feel inadequate or others may try to make us feel that way
- But we are fully sufficient in the Lord to do and to be what He expects of us
- Let us be less concerned with what others (including ourselves) think of us and remember what God thinks of us – faithfully do what He has called and equipped us to do
