Short Selling God

 

People are always trying to put God in a box. We want to explain Him, catalogue Him, put boundaries on Him, codify Him, put Him on a lease, and cover Him with rules and regulations. There were some of these folks in Jesus’ life. One group were called Sadducees, and because they did not believe in the resurrection, they tried to find very unique ways to explain it away.  They tried some clever arguments on Jesus, and His response is classic. “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.” (Matt.22:29)  This is where we often go wrong in our lives. We either do not know the Scripture or the power of God, or both. I have been studying the Scripture for a mighty long time and I am still discovering things that God does and promises He will do for His children. I think I have reached a point in my life where I am tired of hearing folks tell me what my God cannot or will not do.

I guess I am just simple enough to believe that when Paul says He “is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us,” he means it. (Eph.3:20) Let that sink in. He not only can do what we can ask or imagine, but exceeding abundantly beyond that. Or, what about that Scripture we often quote: “I can do everything through Christ (Him) who gives me strength.” (Phil.4:13) Really?  Do I actually believe that? 

I am coming to realize that the greater work of God is in the heart of man. Creating worlds, parting seas, raising dead people, and multiplying the loaves and fishes is pretty amazing, but changing a sinner into a saint is just plain awesome. Transforming a loser into a winner is wonderful. Healing the wounds inside and binding up our brokenness is fantastic. The renovation of the heart as Dallas Willard calls it is the marvel of the ages. I long more these days for lives to be changed, marriages to be remade, children to be reclaimed, churches to be revived, relationships to be reconciled than I do for God to help me win the lottery (guess I would have to actually buy a ticket to win).

But isn’t God in the “inner” business? Paul wrote much on this subject. One example is found in Colossians 1:9-12: “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Such a long sentence, and an even deeper prayer. Pray that one and expect it to come true in your life and see what you get.  We say we want God to touch our lives, but do we really want this kind of powerful transformation?

It is a mistake to not know the Scriptures and the power of God.