“...enabling and motivating me to do what I otherwise would not.”
That’s usually the last request I have of God when I pray at night. ‘And please keep me MOTIVATED to do whatever needs doing come morning!’
It is granted 9 times out of 10. I guess He thinks I earn a ‘goof off day’ once a week or so. ;)
Well, even the good things I like to do are due to God, and in conversion, and in any true obedience, man is doing what he otherwise could not and would not do, apart from God's grace. For God draws, (Jn. 6:44, 12:32) opens hearts, (Acts 16:14) convicts, (John 16:8-11) grants repentance, (Acts 11:18) gives salvation, (Rm. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9) and enables and motivates obedience. (Philippians 2:13, 14) Thanks and glory be to God in Christ. The only thing man can and must take responsibility for is his sins, and with punishment being the only thing actually earned by God.
Related to this, 4 couple days ago, the diligent-working Latino neighbor across the street just lost his faithful good housekeeping caring wife and mother of kids, whom I waved to just before she left to see family in Honduras. Car brakes or steering failed there, killing her and 2 others, though a mother shielded two kids who lived.
Hard for her husband and kids and family (many many showed up.
But the good news is that they finally became married a few months ago, after my prompting and prayers (Central Americans overall manifestly value their Christian culture, but that itself does not mean they are saved, and living in fornication with kids for years is common - I suspect perhaps related to gov. benefits - if not in promiscuity).
And just last Sunday she affirmed her faith by being baptized by her Pentecostal church. Thus I believe the families loss was her and Heaven's gain.
I wish I could say that for all deaths.
I sent over some of my tomatoes, and have a card for him signed by many neighbors. Thank God for the bittersweet reality.