The question of a man’s heart is “Do I have what it takes? Am I enough? Am I adequate for the task?” Feelings of failure often plague most men. Whether it’s the absence of “the blessing” from their father, the regret of poor, critical choices in life, or just the nature of man to find his identity in what he does (his work) rather than who he is (beloved of God), many men never feel they measure up. Married men especially feel the pressure to be adequate at home, able to lead their children and to satisfy their wife’s often unspoken expectations. (Truthfully, many of these expectations are our own–what we think our wives expect.) Although spoken jokingly, men know “Ain’t nobody happy unless momma’s happy.” Children, finances, job security, personal relationships, and ministry opportunities add to the list of reasons to feel ill-equipped for the demands of life.

“If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more” the Apostle Paul claimed. In Philippians 3, he backs up his boast with his list of religious accolades. As with Paul, somewhere, someone in our life defined for us what was successful–a dangling carrot–and like a wild donkey, we pursued the immeasurable, illusory goal. Complete this sentence for yourself: “I will be acceptable when…” or “I will know when I have succeeded when…” or even “I will be happy/fulfilled when…” For me it wasn’t so much about achieving my own goals as it was about comparing myself and competing with others (although I would never want to admit that). My measure was people, not a more objective standard. I lived to people and usually fell short of my own expectations, and then blamed others for letting me down and not sharing my vision for…umph…self-fulfillment. (I guess the world is just too self-centered to be thinking about me!) The very people I was supposed to be leading were seemingly in my way. (Well then, which way was I going?!) I remember thinking, “If it weren’t for people, I’d have a great ministry.” Ha! Suggestions were heard as criticism and correction felt like disapproval, condemnation and rejection. People-pleasing made me feel as though I was always leaving, but never arriving. I was chasing the wind. “By your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Matt. 7:2).
If I ever did catch the dangling carrot, I, like Paul, would find that “whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7). Earthly accolades just don’t satisfy. I learned that when I looked to God to fulfill my hopes and dreams, I found that my hopes and dreams did not fulfill me. So from where does fulfillment come? In
another letter, Paul tells us: “Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who has made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:4-6).

The source of fulfillment and satisfaction is Jesus Christ, who makes us adequate by the new covenant, ratified by His blood! God the Father made this covenant in His blood, not dependent on our works, but His. The new covenant is His idea, His plan, His initiative, His sacrifice and His seal of approval. By His Life we are made complete, adequate for every good work! By His stripes we are healed. There is no longer the need to please man or live to people–living from the outside in, allowing what is on the outside of us to define us. Instead, we live to Jesus, finding in Him complete love and acceptance –living from the inside out, allowing Who is on the inside to define us. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God [not trying to gain approval] as a workman who does not need to be ashamed [because it’s His work, not mine], accurately handling the word of truth [not correct Bible study methods, but the correct understanding of the revelation of the mystery of Christ in you]” (2 Tim. 2:15).

As the “Lord’s Supper” reveals, His Life is in you, for you partake of His very Life! Jesus said every disciple must eat His flesh and drink His blood. That’s His Life living in you! Peter, who heard these words directly from the mouth of Jesus, later wrote: “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence [not mine]. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Pet. 1:3-4). You (the old you) have been crucified with Christ and He has become your very life. Your focus must shift from self to Jesus, from insufficiency to the sufficiency of Christ, from inadequate to “in Christ.” His Life is living and active and is dwelling in you. Christianity is not a new set of better rules or principles to live by, it is the very life of Christ abiding in you. It’s not about what you can do, but what He has done and is currently doing in you, for you and through you now. It’s not who you are, but Who He is in you. The core question of manhood is not answered in your intellect, abilities, or self at all, but in Christ. SO the question is: Are you InAdequate or InChrist? You cannot be both!