Convinced and Confident

S –      Romans 15:14

 

‘I myself am convinced my brothers that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.’

 

O -       In this statement Paul is showing his heart and conviction towards his brethren. It is a statement of great affirmation and confidence he has towards them. His conviction is that they don’t have just some goodness but they re full of goodness, complete in knowledge, and competent to instruct. In reading this it would seem they are the perfect church or the perfect group of disciples. Either that or Paul was the perfect teacher and leader who had brought these brethren to this high level of competency and his confidence. I don’t think though it was either. I see it as a faith and revelation statement that Paul was declaring and choosing to stand in the way he related and believed in his brethren. He was choosing to be convinced of these attributes and then seeing them thru his confidence that the power of God was equipping and bringing them to the place to fulfill calling and purpose. Paul had purposely chosen to major on what God was doing in his brethren, rather than to focus on what He was not doing. He chose to look for and empower the good and potential rather than look for the weaknesses and faults.

 

A -       How I need to keep this powerful perspective with the Brethren. How easy it is to look at weaknesses rather than the presence and goodness of God on a person’s life. How easy it is for me to get discouraged at where I think people are not at, rather than empower and affirm what God is doing and taking them. Paul was convinced with his brethren. This was more than just giving them the benefit of the doubt. He saw they were full of goodness, complete in knowledge. I need to have different eyes for people. I need to look more for the presence and gifts that God has deposited in them, not to be distracted or focused on the weaknesses. This confidence is why Paul was able to achieve so much in his ministry. He really loved and appreciated those around him. This challenges me to have more awareness and appreciation for those around me. This appreciation not to be on the basis of what they can do for me, but rather what has been placed within them and their potential in God to fulfill purpose.

 

P -       Lord, how important are the people we journey with. Give me eyes that look for the good and completeness in people. Forgive me when I measure and judge through my own eyes and not see your presence and power at work.