Feb
28
The Right Tools
Filed Under Devotional
Look through history and consider those who have achieved much power without enough mercy and grace. They tend to exercise that power abruptly and their justice is not appreciated (even if they are fair). Now, consider those who were overflowing with mercy and love, but had no power. That might be tougher, because history tends to record the powerful and influential.
So, we can conclude that one needs power along with mercy and grace to get the broadest influence of those attitudes. Of course, this is exactly what God has given to us. He has infused us with the power of the Holy Spirit and the love and grace displayed by Jesus.
Given these tools, though, we should know enough about human nature to be terrified that we will wield them poorly. That’s why God adds to the mixture the ability to manage them both.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
I hear Paul reminding me that the power of God is in us. The love of God is in us. And He has endowed us with the ability to exercise self-discipline in knowing how to balance them. He has given us the tools to spread the good news far and wide. It is simply up to us to get out of the way and let Him work.