2 Corinthians 3:5 states that “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God“. This verse emphasizes that any competence, ability, or qualification a person has for spiritual work does not originate from themselves, but is entirely a gift from God. The “sufficiency” is a reference to being equipped for the work of ministry, with the full context in the verses that follow explaining this competence is as a minister of a new covenant through the Spirit.
- Self-sufficiency is not the source: The verse rejects the idea that a person can rely on their own abilities, strength, or intelligence to accomplish spiritual tasks.
- Competence comes from God: All ability to serve, to minister, or to live a godly life comes from God.
- Context in the verses that follow: The passage continues in 2 Corinthians 3:6 to explain that God has made people sufficient to be ministers of a “new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit”.
- Living a life of gratitude and humility: This verse encourages humility and gratitude, because it highlights that any good work is not a personal achievement but a result of God’s grace working through individuals.
THE TRUMPET OF LIFE!
God didn’t create us in His Image to be a liability; we must be diligent and ambitious but not outside the will of God. Jacob’s dubious characters to be the head; took him out of God’s will, and he spent his prime-years in slavery serving for his ‘self-willed’ marriage! But for God’s mercy, he would have probably missed his ETERNAL destiny forever!
Such is the case whenever we do or say anything ungodly, trying to out-run God to acquire certain things!
We’re all guilty of this but in different ways!
Genesis 25:22-35 describes the birth of the twin brothers Jacob and Esau, the prophecy that the older would serve the younger, and Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. The passage highlights their differing personalities and the conflict between them: Esau is a hunter, while Jacob is a “homebody”. The incident with the stew is a key event, leading Esau to sell his birthright in a moment of hunger and exhaustion, which is seen as him despising its value.
The prophecy and birth of twins
- The passage begins with the birth of twins in Rebekah’s womb, who struggled with each other.
- The Lord revealed to Rebekah that two nations were in her womb and that the older would serve the younger.
- The first twin to be born was Esau, who was red and covered in hair like a garment, leading to his name.
- Jacob was born next, holding onto Esau’s heel.
Differing personalities and parent preferences
- Esau became a skillful hunter, while Jacob was content to stay at home.
- Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating game, while Rebekah loved Jacob.
The birthright for a meal
- One day, Jacob was cooking lentil stew, and Esau came in from the field, famished.
- Esau said, “Let me have some of that red stew!” (giving him the name Edom).
- Jacob offered him the stew in exchange for his birthright.
- Esau, believing he was about to die of starvation, agreed, saying the birthright was of no use to him.
- After swearing an oath to Jacob, Esau ate the stew and left, having despised his birthright.
Jesus modeled the Love, humility, obedience, and righteousness that can enable God to Make and process us for relevance.
And being found in appearance as a Man,
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the Name that is above every name,
10 that at The Name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Phili. 2:8-11.
Let’s learn!
The truth? Whatever we acquired through cheating is self-making, it’s a risk to our eternal destination and cannott even be compared to the excellence of being God-made…
So, let us always wait on God patiently for the best in life. Beware of undue rat-race!
It is well, in Jesus’ Name, Amen 🙏🔥