Eternal Approach

Nothing is more encouraging to me than the reminder that I have nothing in myself that is good.

Which, I’m sure, makes no sense to most Christians. Because Christians commonly think that they have a kind of growing righteousness within them as they mature in the Lord.

But the reality is that we do not have what is good in ourselves to please God.

In our “flesh”, that is.

This means that it is the Lord’s own presence, His Holy Spirit, in me that is good. And that He, by His Spirit, does all that He has commanded me to be and to do as His follower. As His child.

The Christian life is Not about our own efforts but about His working in us and our dependence upon His working.

That is what “a life of faith” really means. Believing in God’s working based on our trust in Him to do so. Because He has promised to do so.

Which we trust Him to do because His word says so.

The Struggle Within

The Christian Life is about our Rest in Christ. Our Resting in Him.

This is what is spoken of in John 15. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” 

The Life of Christ is about His indwelling in us and His revealing Himself to us. 

It is Not about our dedication to or resolve to or any other effort to imitate Him. 

Nor is it about our ability to fulfill what He has commanded us to do. Because we cannot do it. 

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Galatians 5:17)

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)

The Vain Imitation of Life 

The religions of the world, and this includes the vast majority of those that claim to be “Christian”, are really only distinguished from each other by their limited ability to Imitate Life. To try to do those things which they believe are necessary in order to be in right-standing with God. 

They are trying to work their way to God.

Doing this in a Christian way does not separate them from the Pagan world at all. Those who deny the biblical gospel are, in fact, often more dedicated to their “gods” than most of those who call themselves “Christians”. 

Which is one reason why there is such animosity toward the vast group often categorized as “Christian”. Because those other people, following whatever god or code they believe, consider themselves to be just as dedicated and self-sacrificing than most true believers are.

As does the atheist, progressive humanist. Who may be very dedicated and sincere and hard-working in his or her beliefs.

Why then do those “Christians” think they themselves to be better? Or to deserve better?

And guess what? The person without Christ has a point!!!

Because dedicated Christian flesh is of no more value than dedicated Pagan flesh.

The source is the same.  

Flesh is Just Flesh 

The true Chrisitan life is all about the indwelling of Christ. About “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Which only the born-again believer can say, in truth.  

The unbeliever may think that Christ or God is in him; but that is not the case.  

This is about what is alive and what is dead. 

The Christian is saved Not because He is good; but because He has placed His hope in Christ – Who alone Is Good. 

Which is why Paul said “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. “. (Galatians 2:20) 

Image by Claire Francis from Pixabay