YOU EITHER CAN OR YOU CAN’T

Our church (like most churches) has a very diverse group of people.  We have some among us who are young and strong, and some who are old and feeble.  We have the rich, the poor, the educated and uneducated.  We have high school drop-outs and college graduates.  And, there are those who are committed to the work of God and those who are not.  If I could classify these groups into just two categories it would simply be the “I Cans” and the “I Can’ts.”

It is my personal belief that every born-again child of God should have a desire in their heart to do something for God (and many do).  If you are a child of God and you are not doing something for God, my question would be “why not?”  Is it because you feel you simply can’t?  But then there is another dynamic to entire equation, and that is that group in our church who used to do something for God, but through disappointments, heartaches, let downs or failures, simply feel they can’t do anymore.

The difference between “I can” and “I can’t” is found in our perspective.  If our perspective (or focus) is on Christ, then we can.  However, if our perspective (or focus) is on our human ability, then we can’t.  After Paul had endured all the things he had in his life (II Corinthians 11:24-28), he came to the conclusion “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Paul realized that he could endure any trial, subdue any enemy, surpass all temptation, not by his might or his strength, but “in the strength of the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).  He understood the reality of John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me, YE CAN DO NOTHING.”

What we accomplish (according to both John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13), is “through Him who gives me strength.”  Paul understood that it was more than just knowing God, or knowing about God.  It was more than coming to church when the doors are open, or having your name on the church rolls.  It was more than giving faithfully, or even sacrificially.  It comes through a continual communion with God – us in Him and Him in us!  He is our power source and He is where our strength comes from.

It is the “I CAN” mentality that changed a slave into a deliverer of his people, that changed a shepherd boy into a giant slayer and a king, that transformed Simon into Cephas and Saul into Paul.  The difference between “I Can” and “I Can’t” is found in our ability to keep continual communion with God so that He can flow through us!  So folks, either you CAN or you CAN’T.  Which one are you?