Many years ago, an excited me shared the story of how I came to know Christ with a friend. His response was immediate and sharp, “I believe in the power of me!” he barked. At the time, I recoiled at his brashness. But in truth, he had a point. People can and have done lots of incredible things without faith in God; some even with disdain for the mere idea of God.
So how do we as believers harmonize “the power of me” with faith in God?
It begins with a recognition of where our power comes from. According to the Scriptures, our abilities to learn, dream, plan, invent, develop our skills, and express our talents, to go to work or work for ourselves, are all rooted in God’s provision. As it is written, “He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else… for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25,28).
My friend’s comment was nothing new. Knowing full well humankind’s propensity for self-aggrandizement and self-delusion, the Lord cautioned the ancient Israelites, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth,” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).
Additionally, He maintains the planet we live on, holding all things together by His power (Colossians 1:17). He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).
So, harmonizing self-reliance with faith involves recognizing we are not independent operators of our own lives. Instead, our mental and physical abilities, and the world in which we use them are wholly reliant on His sustenance, which He graciously and faithfully provides day after day, with or without our acknowledgment. The power of me only works because it is plugged into the power of Him.
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