SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1346

“Able”

Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you; Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? – Jeremiah 32:17,27

Is God a capable God? Yes, He is but you will not find Scriptures stating that. You will find, however that God is able.

What is the difference in the two words we use almost interchangeably? “Capable”, implies the potential or suitability for a task whereas “Able”, focuses on the presence of necessary skills and resources. For example: You might be capable of learning a language, but not yet able to speak it fluently.

In essence: “Capable” suggests potentiality, while “able” emphasizes the present or immediate ability to act. When one is able, they are willing to, and actively exercise their capabilities.

The Scripture Greek word for “able” is “dunamai” from which we derive the words, dynamic, dynamo, dynamite. The word conveys active power, energy, and force.

If we are capable of doing something, we have the ability to do it. The question is, will we? God will, and does so continually.

Able to Save – No one, nothing, has the capability or ability to save us from our sin and give us eternal life, except Jesus.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant … because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. – Hebrews 7:22-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. – Jude 24-25

Able to Bless and Provide- It is by the grace of our Lord that our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs are met. Note the purpose for His grace: so that we may exercise our God-given ability.

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

Able to do More – We cannot even begin to imagine the ‘much more’ of God’s ability. We look at the stars in the night sky and try to fathom the vastness of His creation. We examine the molecular and atomic structure of nature and the intricacies of His creation of life – we are wonderfully made – yet there is so much more that we cannot even begin to fathom. We are in awe of Him.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21

Able to Relate – Jesus gets us. As our Creator, He knows us intimately. He understands us and what we are going through, and He will guide and provide what we need to live an overcoming life.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust – Psalm 103:13-14

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. – Hebrews 2:18

Able to Fulfill His Promises – Are you convinced of God’s ability to accomplish all He has promised? Are you able to wait patiently for Him, without losing faith and hope in His promises?

He (Abraham) did not weaken in faith … No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. – Romans 4:19-21

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

Able to Love – We are capable of love, but are we able? Always? Unconditionally? Are you fully convinced of God’s steadfast, unchanging love for you?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

We are Capable…Are we Able? – God has created us and gifted us through His Holy Spirit with capabilities. Are we willing and able to serve Him and our fellow mankind in His power and strength for His glory?

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father … – John 14:12-14

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good; I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – 1 Corinthians 12:7; Philippians 4:13

Response: Father, I stand in awe of your majesty and ability. I know that you have created me with the potential for more. I pray for a fresh infilling of your Holy Spirit with the gifts and willing ability that I need to serve You and others in Your Name. To You be all the glory, honor, and praise!