Sufficient???

2nd Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.

You are not perfect. Neither am I. We see several times in the New Testament that we are to strive towards perfection, but we aren't there yet. I don't trust in my ability to keep the law, but I trust in Jesus. I strive to keep myself from sin, and I shun it......but nevertheless, I know I am not perfect. God doesn't require perfected vessels, only those willing to be perfected. (I really recommend your reading all of chapter three to understand completely what is being said here.) Our salvation is not based upon our ability to be holy. Quite the contrary. Jesus came because He knew we couldn't do it on our own. Now we do have to be willing to grow, and to let go of things that hinder our walk with the Lord. Forget the mistakes of the past that we have already repented of, and carry on with the Lord. The enemy, and some people, will try to remind you of the mistakes you have made in the past, but God doesn't remember them. Let them go. And if you are the one who is constantly reminding someone of how bad they were, or of the horrible things that they did......STOP IT!!! The bible speaks of the accuser of the brethren. (Revelation 12:10) His name is satan. When we accuse our brothers and sisters and remind them of their past sins, we are doing satan's will. The Lord's will is that we encourage one another and help them not to fall in to the same kind of temptation and sin again. None of us are perfect. Some have grown more than others. Some are kind of stuck in a rut, because that's as far as they're willing to go with God right now. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, it's just where they are now. The Lord wants us to move on, to get out the ruts, and continue on with Him. But sometimes we are stubborn, or perhaps that's just me. But I've been known to do dumb things. But praise God, I learned through those things, and I've grown through them as well. The Lord has really been working on me in the area of patience. ESPECIALLY on the road. I am easily frustrated and lose my patience. Now I don't scream and shout or point at them with a finger or anything.....but I can get upset and/or frustrated. But, I have calmed down some in that area, and I still have some growing to do there. In other areas where patience is required, I have learned much faster. Just remember, no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, there is always more. If we want more of the Lord, we have to be willing to give Him more of us. Have a great day folks and God bless. Pastor James