The Encourager
“Do I Believe I Am Able?”
“Do I Believe I Am Able?”
by Jeff Curtis
The size of our faith determines our thinking, and our thinking determines our spiritual growth. A person who believes he can accomplish nothing will not rise far above that belief.
We have to remind ourselves that we don’t think as God thinks (Isaiah 55:8). A serious mistake is made when we try to presuppose God’s purposes and expectations. Statements such as “I don’t think God expects this of me” should be avoided. How can we come to see situations in the way God does? First, we are to renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Second, since the mind of God is revealed in His Word, we must study the Bible.
Three texts reveal how we can increase the size of our faith and learn to think more as God thinks.
Believe in Jesus (Matthew 9:27-31). Two blind men followed Jesus and begged for Him to have mercy on them. He asked them if they believed He could restore their sight, and they answered “Yes, Lord” (Matt. 9:28). He then touched their eyes and said, “It shall be done to you according to your faith” (9:29). Immediately, they received their sight.
Not every case of healing depended on the faith of the one being healed. Examples are the lame man who was carried to Jesus by four friends, the centurion’s servant, and the demoniacs of Gadara.
However, our usefulness to God may be determined by the measure of our faith in Him. We must believe that He is able to accomplish through us whatever He wants us to handle (Matt. 19:26).
We are often held back because of some real or imagined disability. Age, illness, and lack of talent can be hinderances; but a person stops being “disabled” when he stops thinking about what he cannot do and starts thinking about what he can do by God’s power. Being “spiritually disabled” is far worse than being physically challenged.
Be motivated by God’s assurance of success (Philippians 4:13). Paul presented a three-step plan to achieve what God would have us to do: (1) “I can,” (2) “Do all things,” (3) “Through Him who strengthens me.” Paul believed that God was able to do through him whatever He wanted done.
God doesn’t limit our accomplishments in His kingdom. “We do!” “For as he thinks within himself, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). If we are concerned with a lack of usefulness in the kingdom of God, the problem is not God, but with our thinking.
Concentrate on God’s power working through us (Eph. 3:20). Let’s examine the text. “Now to Him” refers to God, the Creator and Sustainer of this universe and all that is in it. “Who is able” means “beyond measure, far more than, in excess of expectation.” “All that we ask or think” indicates that we can’t out-think God’s ability to perform. Our only limitations are God’s will and our faith. “According to the power that works within us” indicates that God works through us with power. If we think and plan small, we will be small. Conversely, if we think and plan big, we can accomplish big things. Our growth as individual Christians or as a congregation is hindered or helped by our faith.
Finally. If God wants something done through us, it can be done when we are ready and willing to do it. Our faith determines our potential for serving Him.
