Yes, the title is a play on words from JFK presidential inauguration speech. I decided to kind of turn the phrase on its head to emphasise the contrary mindset we need to have in order to serve God and serve Him well.
So, what do I mean by this?
Well, the original phrase: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country” suggests that citizens should not be expecting their country to only serve their needs but for its citizens to learn to provide acts of service for their country too. I feel when it comes to living out our Christian lives, doing our Christian duty, the focus is not necessarily about what we do for God but rather what God can do through us.
Now let me explain, what I’ve said may be confusing, because as Christians we are supposed to serve, let alone be willing to serve God and do everything, we can to serve him, and that is not wrong!
But what I want to highlight is that as a Christian our acts of service shouldn’t be born out of what we think we can do to please or serve God. But first humbling ourselves and recognising that we as humans are flawed by sin. Not fit to serve God or please him. But by accepting Jesus Christ as saviour and Lord, and accepting everything God has given us, it is from there, we can serve God.
I have a poster at home and it says:” The key to overcoming your insecurities is to start trusting in God’s ability, not your ability”. In essence that’s what I’m trying to say, to walk this Christian life and to be successful in it, it’s not about what we do; what we’ve got or what we can do in our own ability but it is when we start looking at who God is and what God can do and has done for us, it is from there that we should gain our strength and confidence to do everything God is calling us to do in our lives.
This is why Galatians 3: 10 says that anyone who relies on the works of the law are under a curse.
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Galatians 3:10
Trying to carry out all of God’s law in our own ability was impossible. We would never, ever, be able to reach God’s standards that way. Hence why it was a curse, because in our own ability we would never be able to achieve doing God’s law.
But Hebrews 11:6 tells us how we are serve God and please him.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11: 6
It is not by your works but through faith. Relying and trusting in the power and authority of God to start pleasing and serving God.
So, ask not what you can do for God but what God can do and has done for you! Have faith, trusting in God’s promises and His word and act from there.
Signing off,
Faith With Petra 