Lacking Nothing

Nov. 18

Read: 1 Cor. 1:1-9,2 Peter 1:3,4

Lacking Nothing

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge…so that you are not lacking in any gift…” (1 Cor. 1:4-7)

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3)

God is not withholding anything from his people. What would it look like to “be enriched in speech and knowledge” or to be “not lacking in any gift”? Stop and consider this for a moment. So much of our training and thinking revolves around this notion that we need to “go out and get” what we need for our walk with Christ. As if there is some sort of “righteousness” that we must acquire on our own quest for Jesus. The (hopefully) unintentional picture that is painted is that we lack what we need - faith, hope, belief, etc. - and must go out and get it. The scriptures point for us a different picture.

Paul begins this letter to the church in Corinth with this truth: God has enriched the knowledge and speech of his people and has filled them up with every gift… they are “not lacking”. Peter says the same: “ (God’s) divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” The journey of a Christ follower is learning to use what has already been granted! It is a journey of coming to grips with who you have already been made to be in Christ Jesus. It is a life of trusting that you have been giving by God through Christ what you need for this life and for godliness. Imagine a craftsman who has been given EVERY tool and supply that could ever be needed to build a house. He doesn’t need to go out and purchase more… or ask someone to borrow a tool that he does not have. Nevertheless, the craftsman does still need to pick up and use the tools he has been given. He may even need to ask HOW to use a tool… or a certain material. He is not lacking in what is needed, although he may be lacking in the use of what he has been given. The heart of the message is clear.

The enemy wants us to think that we don’t have what it takes. The enemy wants us to think that God is withholding from us. The enemy wants us trapped in a mindset of fear and defeat. God call out to his children with this truth: I have “enriched your speech and knowledge” and have “granted to you all things as it pertains to life and godliness” - you need not be afraid. There is ENOUGH for you. You are not LACKING… you are not missing the gifts needed to follow me and experience abundant life in the Son - Jesus. Now this is something to give THANKS for. Paul says that he “gives thanks to my God always” for this truth in the lives of the Corinthians believers. As we approach Thanksgiving, may we learn to give thanks for this truth. The patterns of this world want us to live in fear with a scarcity mindset, Jesus says, “trust me, I have granted to you everything you will need in this life. It is there for the taking… come with me as I help you take hold of what I have given to you.” Love you guys! - JDP