“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus’ – Philemon 6.
There is nothing good in man without Christ. Outside Christ, man is a miserable and hopeless sinner. None is good except God (Luke 18:19). This was the response of Jesus to the rich fool who came to him for endorsement on the bases of his good works or personal goodness to earn salvation or inherit eternal life. Only God is good and only he can make any man good.
“But we are all as unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” – Isaiah 64:6(KJV). This is the depraved state of man since the fall.
Jesus however came to impact goodness in man by circumcising the heart of man, cleansing man with his blood and putting his divine nature in man. He was made sin for us that we should be made the righteousness of God in him. At redemption, he exchanged our sinfulness for his righteousness.
Good news: in Christ you are a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, there are good things in you. His very nature, his Holy Spirit, his righteousness, his wisdom, his power, his grace and gifting are all yours in Christ.
Like the olive tree, the fig tree and the vine, (Judges 9: 8-13) you need to acknowledge your inner gifting and grace that glorifies God and blesses humanity.
The Vine tree acknowledged its fatness, through which both God and man are honored. It acknowledged that there is something it can contribute to bless God and other trees and understood that its leadership role is in discovering purpose and fulfilling it not just in title. The fig tree likewise recognized the inner grace that brings sweetness and good fruit. The vine also acknowledged the wine that cheers God and man. You too have so much to offer, and these gifts within, if recognized and developed can make way for you and bring you before kings. God has not given any man everything but he has given every man something. Your contribution lies in your gifting, discover it, develop it and be the blessing you are meant to be. You don’t have to envy anyone because you are worth envying if you develop your gift.
Prayer: Dear Lord, open my eyes to see the divine deposit in my life so I can live a purposeful life.
Rev. Vincent Diolu