Not That We Are Sufficient But Such Trust Have We Through Christ - Part 954

A good friend recently asked me to consider Ezekiel 33. At first, the only scriptural passage to catch my attention was a couple of verses toward the end of the chapter. (Perhaps, I should admit now that unlike many in the world, the end times have never been my focus). Still, the point is not only relevant but the corresponding verses throughout both the old and new testaments are telling. Here are a few to get you searching His Word:

"Also, Thou son of man, the children of Thy people are still talking against Thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, "Come, I pray you and hear what is the Word that cometh forth from the Lord." And they come unto Thee as the people cometh, and they sit before Thee as my people, and they hear Thy words, but they will not do them. For with their mouth they show much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo, Thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass (lo, it will come) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them." (Ezekiel 33:30-33)

Similar to a verse I already knew by heart, I could relate. Wherefore the Lord said, "Forasmuch as this people draw near [Me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men." (Isaiah 29:13)

And yet another scripture comes to mind.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto Me, "Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23)

Do you see a pattern forming yet? Jesus told us, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20)

The irony is that this very day I had already been studying the following verse from I Thessalonians, which states:  "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God (which ye heard of us), ye received not the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)

I especially like this latter verse because the message is so clear. " ... when ye received the Word of God ... ye received NOT the word of men." In other words, as a believer you have chosen your faith journey, and thus, have become a lover of His Word. One that willingly (and diligently) studies to show thyself approved, as a workman regularly does. Therefore, all the fine-sounding words of people are just that -- fine-sounding words, but they are not life giving.

Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak unto you are spirit and are life." (John 6:63)

Therefore, "do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or, need we, as some, epistles of commendation to you, or [letters] of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men, [forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart, and such trust have we through Christ to God-ward.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God -- who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit, for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life ... now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:1-6, 17)

Trust Jesus today with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.