I heard a song on K-LOVE the other day with the words, “I can’t do this on my own.” I looked it up and it’s a song by Anne Wilson called Strong.
It brought to mind the truth of where my heart may be. I hope not. Or maybe it’s something the Lord wants me to express, write, share, (or something). But I can’t even do that – on my own.
When I am complacent or unproductive or lukewarm, when I am not doing anything for the Savior, the Kingdom, the Love of God, these words make me wonder if it’s because I’m trying to do anything/something/everything on my own.
Yes, I am saved.
Yes, I am born again.
Yes, I am Spirit-Filled.
Yes, I am grateful!
But am I trying to show my gratitude or be obedient in my own strength? Maybe.
Maybe that’s why I feel like I am doing nothing for the Lord or for the Kingdom. Doesn’t He have work for me to do?
If I’m trying to DO this on my own, how CAN I expect to be productive or effective? If I AM doing this on my own, how can I expect to avoid the lies of the enemy? How can I overcome?
From now on, when I feel that my purpose has ended and I have no more to do FOR Jesus, I have to remember, “I can’t do this on my own!” Can’t do what? Anything!
2 Peter 1:3-9 says:
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Recently I heard a pastor say that Faith and Forgiveness are basically the same. Faith is where we start. Forgiveness is part of Faith. If we’re holding onto unforgiveness, how can goodness be added to the Faith? And then how can Knowledge be added to the Goodness? And on and on. So, if I feel stagnant or unproductive or of no use in the Kingdom, I have to ask myself: “Where is the unforgiveness?”
In fact, I have to ask the Lord, “Please reveal any unforgiveness in me, because I can’t do this on my own! And help me to forgive 100%” because that may be holding me back from goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.
If I don’t have these qualities in increasing measure, I may have forgotten what I have been forgiven for! I don’t want to be complacent or stagnant or unproductive! 2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
So, remind me Lord and use me!
For more than a year now, I have been praying for “more and more mercy, peace, and love” (Jude 2), and right now I see that Love is the goal and result of the continuously increasing qualities of 2 Peter 1, but it doesn’t stop there – it’s not the only goal and result. Remember, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8).
And if you know Jesus Christ, you will Love Him; and if you Love Jesus Christ, you will Obey Him! (John 14:15, 23).
