Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Holy Spirit – 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 – Competent – Growing As Disciples
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NIV)
Competent
I don’t feel competent. I don’t have confidence. That isn’t all bad. Why is that? Think of all the people that I have used to bear fruit for my kingdom and bring glory to my name. Do you have anyone in mind? I have a one person in mind. Who? I have Moses in mind. You mightily used Him. Yes, I did. He led an entire nation out of captivity. Yes, he did.
Moses is the perfect person for you to have in mind. Why is that? In what way was he lacking confidence? Why did he think that he was not competent? He lacked confidence as a speaker. He struggled with his words. He felt incompetent because he was not well spoken. What did he do when I called him? He argued with you. He tried to avoid doing what you were calling him to go and do. He said he was unable to go and do what you were asking of him. He begged for you to send someone else. Yes, he did. Did I listen to him? Did I let him reject my call? Did I give up on him? Did I go on to use someone else instead of him? No, you did not. You would not let him reject your call. No, I would not.
Have you argued with me? Have you tried to avoid my call on your life? Have you told me that you were unable to go and do what I asked of you? Yes, I have done all these things. Have I ever given up on you? Have I ever left you alone and set you aside because you convinced me that you were incompetent? No, you have not. Will I listen to your argument? Will I let you out of your call? No you will not.
When Moses was being used by me, what can you be sure of? I can be sure that Moses was not relying on himself to go and do what you were asking of him. He would never do that. Why not? He lacked confidence and felt incompetent. So, isn’t that a good thing that Moses came to rely on me? He allowed me to work in and through his life. I made him competent. I gave him confidence. I was able to work in and through his life. Yes, you were.
Can I work in and through your life? Can I make you competent? Can I give you confidence? Yes, you can. Will you stop arguing with me? Will you come to rely on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, in my own strength and with my own abilities I am not qualified or competent to serve you. But, you have made me competent. Thank you for giving me spiritual gifts, talents and abilities with which I can faithfully serve you. Amen
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