Capability: Divine Empowerment for Kingdom Purpose

The inherent power and aptitude within human beings to achieve, create, and accomplish tasks or goals through God-given gifts, developed skills, and divine empowerment.

The Divine Duality of Human Potential

Humans possess enormous possibilities for both good and evil, as demonstrated throughout history. Even as redeemed Christians, we remain sinners at heart with the potential to fall into serious transgressions beyond daily shortcomings. Scripture warns, "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Cor 10:12). This reality demands ongoing vigilance in monitoring our attitudes and actions while maintaining accountability with fellow believers who can identify potentially harmful patterns before they escalate.

Fill your mind with goodness to increase the probability of virtuous outcomes (Mt 12:35). A positive mental attitude, combined with faith and an enterprising spirit, enables continual expansion of your capabilities for God's purposes. Walk in humility, understanding "By myself I can do nothing…[yet] I can do everything [He calls me to] through Him who gives me strength" (Jn 5:30; Phil 4:13). I am merely the vessel; He is the divine power. I trust in what I can accomplish because of who He is within me.

Divine Partnership

When I make myself available to God, He supplies the ability. It is not my power but His Spirit that accomplishes His purposes (Zech 4:6). Commit yourself to "Do whatever He says to you" (Jn 2:5). Trust His promise: "May God…equip you with everything good for doing His will" (Heb 13:20,21). I can accomplish greater things than I can imagine because "He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us" (Eph 3:20).

Transformation and Cooperation

Never underestimate God's power to transform a hardened sinner into a devoted follower of Christ. The wonder-working power of Jesus' blood can bring complete transformation when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit. There must always be willingness on our part for God to work in and through us, surrendering our resistance and embracing His divine purpose.

God has a profound interest in seeing my life fulfill His divine calling. He has chosen me as an instrument for His glory. Will I respond and cooperate with Him? Abilities are His gifts to us, not for personal aggrandizement but as tools to reach the world for His kingdom. Grasp His heart for people. He desires all to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth, living free from sin's power (1 Tim 2:4). As we mature spiritually, He will move us beyond our comfort zones into greater effectiveness.

With Christ we can do much more than we think we are capable of

The greater your capability, the more useful and confident you become, yet we must constantly remember that everything we possess originates from God (Deut 8:18). Like our salvation, our potential flows from Him, not ourselves (Eph 2:8,9). Capability increases through knowledge and experience as we apply ourselves diligently. Am I motivated to become more capable, especially in fulfilling my specific calling? Who knows when what we've learned will be needed? Give yourself for people—this is what Christ did. Trust in yourself because He trusts in you.

Rarely does one person possess all capabilities needed to fulfill their divine calling. We need others to supplement our deficiencies and walk alongside us in mutual accountability.

Jabez prayed, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory" (1 Chr 4:10). This wasn't selfish ambition but a desire for greater effectiveness to make his life count. As you grow more proficient in specific tasks, never lose sight of your roots or the reality that God enabled your progress—there's no room for pride or self-sufficiency to dominate (1 Sam 15:17).

Reflection and Application:

How can I intentionally fill my mind with good things to increase the probability of positive outcomes in my life?
In what specific areas am I relying on my own strength rather than God's divine power?
What capabilities has God entrusted to me that I can leverage for His glory?
Am I willing to make myself completely available for God to work through me, even when it stretches me beyond my comfort zone?