Completely Insufficient
Read: 2 Corinthians 3:4–6
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
“Our sufficiency is from God.”
On Sunday, I preached a message titled “Completely Insufficient.”
That is the last thing we ever want to admit. We spend our days proving our worth and value. We want to show we are not dumb, useless, or to be forgotten. We want to matter, and we strive to make ourselves matter.
Paul had every right to claim what he had accomplished and achieved. He had a resume that outshined any of his contemporaries, yet he says honestly, “My sufficiency is from God!”
In essence, Paul is stating, “Who I am is who God has made me.” I did not garner, gain, or grab hold of this opportunity on my own. God called me. God placed me. God uses me. Only through Him am I anything.
Take a moment and consider how exhausting it is to constantly try to prove yourself worthy, capable, or impressive. How much of your day is an attempt to prove your worth or worthiness? On the flip side, how much anxiety do you carry every day worrying if you are good enough or good enough in the eyes of others?
What would change if you truly believed that your sufficiency in life comes from God?
What pressure would be relieved?
What freedom would be found?
Hear this today: Your sufficiency does not rest in what you accomplish, attain, or achieve. Your sufficiency is not based on how good, kind, holy, pretty, or perfect you are.
Your sufficiency is from God. You are loved because He loves you, not because you are lovable!
Don’t Let Bitterness Win!
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:10–11
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
There is a time to grieve/despair, but there is also a time to forgive!
Sin has consequences. Relationships are fertile grounds for harm to happen. In this season, tough conversations, challenging choices, and even seasons of isolation and despair are fruitful, but should not be final (assuming both parties are humble and repentant)!
Paul is warning that we must not leave someone wallowing in that state of despair, but like a good parent or leader, we show forgiveness and offer a future. This is not easy! It requires us to let go of our legitimate frustrations and show grace to those who have disappointed us! Grace that only God can provide.
Paul offers a warning at the end of this section, revealing that it is a ploy of Satan to keep the offender isolated forever. It is easy to withhold forgiveness and remain resentful, vengeful, and bitter.
Ask God to reveal where you are harboring these attitudes of the Enemy.
Ask God to give you a heart like His to forgive those who have offended you.
Ask God to remind you of the forgiveness He has given you for your rejection, offense, and rebellion!
Reconciliation over being Right!
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:23–2:2
But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?
Based on my knowledge of the fiery apostle Paul, he would have wanted nothing else but to avenge himself in Corinth against those who had deserted him, abused him, and mocked him. Throughout his letters, we see the spirited nature of Paul to stand up to those who oppose him, even the apostle Peter at times. Paul does not back down from a fight, yet with Corinth he did not come back to town wielding his power. Instead, he wrote a letter.
The goal for Paul was reconciliation, not retaliation. Paul wanted the relationship redeemed, not himself proved right. That is not easy. It is with great joy that we exclaim, “I told you so!” Paul knew that it was best to write rather than arrive.
I want you to think about a strained relationship you have. Go on, think of that person right now.
How are you handling that situation? Are you seeking to flex your superiority, belittle their ability, or prove your correctness at their expense?
Maybe you have simply ignored them and removed them from your life, for it is far easier to lose a relationship than repair one.
What does seeking reconciliation in that relationship look like?
What pride do you need to lay down?
How can you humbly start repairing what feels unredeemable?
As Christians, I believe it is our responsibility to take the first step (even if the offending party is a Christian). Will you take the first step to reconcile rather than flaunt where you are right?
Jesus even taught that if you are worshiping and remember someone has something against you, then leave worship and reconcile first! Take the first step toward healing today!
God’s Yes in Jesus
God’s Yes in Jesus
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:19–20
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in Him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.
All the promises of God find their Yes in Jesus Christ.
Think about these promises:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9)
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:38–39)
“Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)
“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Every promise God has made finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
Not partially. Not temporarily. Not conditionally based on your performance.
In Christ, God’s answer is “Yes.”
That means when your heart says:
“I’ve failed too much” — Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient.”
“I don’t know if God wants me” — Jesus says, “Come to me.”
“I feel abandoned” — Jesus says, “I am with you always.”
“I don’t know if I can change” — Jesus says, “My Spirit is in you…transforming you.”
The Christian life is built on trusting the promises of God more than the accusations of our feelings.
While everyone else may let us down, we can know that God’s promises are always true!
What promise do you need to cling to today?
Salvation? Presence? Forgiveness? Strength? Hope?
The Same Person Everywhere
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:12–13
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand, and I hope you will fully understand—
Are you the same person everywhere?
At home, work, church, and even online?
Are your speech, attitude, demeanor, kindness, and choices consistent or dependent on the environment?
One thing I have always sought to maintain is that I am a consistent person whether I am on stage preaching, at a booth eating, or outside playing. Oftentimes, preachers are accused of having a certain voice they use to emotionally move the audience, but that voice only happens on stage. I try my best to have one voice. The same voice. I want to be consistent whether I speak, write, or preach. This feels the most authentic to me.
That is what Paul is addressing here. It was being said that Paul is bold in his letters and weak in person. Paul refutes this claim and maintains that he is consistently the same person.
Are you the same person? Sincere in your speech? Honest and truthful in all environments?
It is very easy in our world to have multiple personas. You have a church version, a work version, and a home version. Honestly, you don’t want your church friends to see the work version or home version!
You have words you use 8–5, a different vocabulary from 6–9, and a very different vocabulary Sundays 10–12.
It is more than words, though. How do you treat people when you are alone versus seen?
How do you joke when you are at church versus at work?
Image management is a real problem for all people, not just teenagers. It is very tempting to have different masks we wear that are socially acceptable to the environment we are in. This needs to stop. Godly sincerity is about being the same person all the time. Living out your true self, not the self you want to project in the moment.
Where are you most tempted to put on a mask? Why so?