You Can't Do It On Your Own

"Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." - Luke 9:12-17

God never asks you to do anything for Him that you can do without Him. I am reminded of a song that was popular among Christians years ago. 

"Without him, I could do nothing. Without him, I'd surely fail. Without him, I would be drifting. Like a ship without a sail" - Without Him Song by Josh Turner

Jesus said

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Apart from the power from the Vine, we can do nothing of spiritual - eternal consequence. Getting saved does not mean that you have your own spiritual power. Any spiritual act is a function of the work of the Spirit of God in and through you. Success in our new life requires submission of our will to God and the leading of the Spirit of God.

We cannot be the person that God intends just by trying to do better - to be better. Spiritual transformation is not the result of personal effort and resolve. It is a result of our pursuit of God. I recall one of our granddaughters when I would try to do something with her would nudge me aside and say, "I want to do it." It never went well. Well, that might describe all of us as we try to live out the Christian life under "my-will" power.

"Therefore, I [Paul] urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2

What is His good and perfect will? That we would all be conformed to the image of His Son. That we would be one as the Son and Father are One. (John 17)

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone