Thought for Tuesday, December 4th

December 4, 2012

The Truth about Our Potential

“It is better not to know than to know and not to do:

Most of us know better than we do.”

-          Walter B. Knight

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

John 14:7-12

Scripture tells us that if we know to do good and we don’t do it; then our lack of doing becomes a sin.(James 4:17).  Sin can be more than an act committed: it can also be a deed forsaken or an action not taken.

In 2 Peter 2:21 we are told; “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

Our verse of the day tells us that if we know Jesus: we know the Father and if we really believe Jesus is who He was: then we believe in the source of the power that enabled Him to do all the things that He did: hence we then know that that same power is in us: and Jesus said we can do not only the things that He did, but even greater things.

Knowing this: do you think we are living up to the fullness of the potential that is in us by the power and presence of God?  Are we doing all He is capable of doing in us and through us, or are we holding Him back?  Do we restrain, restrict and quench His power and presence by not allowing the fullness of His potential to be manifested within our lives?

Are we in affect sinning if we do not allow God to do what He is capable of doing and desires to do within us?

If we do not live up to the full potential that Jesus taught is possible within our lives are we guilty of failing to walk in the obedience of our full potential to glorify the Father?

These questions certainly give us food for thought.  What better place to feast and receive our nutrients than at the table of God’s Word and from the manna of His wisdom?

Do you believe you are living up to your full potential as Jesus taught it?

Now that you know – what are you going to do about it?

Today’s Prayer

Father, forgive me for not living up to the fullest possibilities of Your potential in and through my life.  Help me to be more open and obedient to allowing you to work in and through me in whatever ways you deem needful.