2 Corinthians 13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

I felt the Lord was directing me to write on this verse, but I wasn’t sure why. Then I read it in the Japanese, where it says, “We can do nothing in rebellion against the truth, but if it’s for the truth, we can do anything.” That puts a different spin on it! I am naturally reminded of Philippians 4:13. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” When we are genuinely on the side of God and His truth, then everything becomes possible. I could be here all day affirming from Scripture things that God desires, and that He desires of each individual, but the point isn’t just to affirm things as objective fact, but to follow through and act on them. (James 1:22) Paul was literally writing the Bible as he went, allowing God’s truth to flow through his words, and he needed the assurance of the truth in this verse. Some would call that conceit, but as my grandmother once told my father, it isn’t conceit if it’s true. It of course requires great humility to operate in this without wrecking on the rocks of pride, and God kept doing things to keep Paul humble. In the chapter just before this, Paul famously recorded one of those. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) The point is always to keep our focus off of ourselves and on our Lord, as it says in Hebrews. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) If we will do that, then indeed everything will become possible.

A Brazilian missionary in the Nagoya area designed T-shirts in English and Japanese about revival in Japan, with  the word, “Impossible,” prominently displayed, with the “Im” crossed out. I’m sure he was inspired by God, because it works equally well in Japanese. I like those shirts very much, since I delight in plays on words, but I need to keep living like I believe the message. Following my father, next year will mark a 90 year history of my family’s ministry in Japan, and we haven’t seen revival break out yet. That doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t! God is freeing me from my school commitments in another month, and I will be the speaker at a small conference in February. I certainly don’t know the details of God’s plan, but I do know that “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) I am never to think that I could do anything on my own, but I am to have complete assurance that God can do anything at all through me.

Father, this is a bit scary for me, when I have struggled with pride so much over the course of my life. I don’t want to fall into that! Help me take my eyes off of myself so thoroughly that I won’t get in Your way for however You want to use me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!