I can't, but He can

The number one thing I want Christians to understand is this.  There is nothing in us, in and of ourselves, that can pull off the Christian life.

Now let's pause right here.  

If the "Christian life" means nothing more to you than attending church and trying to be a "good person," you haven't a clue as to what it is truly about.

God calls us to be holy.

God calls us to love each other.

God calls us to live a life worthy of Himself, His calling for us.

God calls us to forgive others.

God calls us to put Him first above all else (including reputation, money, and family).

The question we must face is this: are we able to accomplish any of these things on our own?

The answer: no way, no how, not in a billion years.  Maybe outwardly, but not from our own inner selves.

So why would Jesus tell us to do what we are not able to do?  We must be able to do these things or He wouldn't have commanded them, right?

We truly can only do all of these, and more, through Christ and His Spirit, power, and strength in us.

If we are relying on ourselves, it will be nothing more than show and surface.  This is the very thing that got Jesus riled up about the Pharisees.  They looked great on the outside, were respected by their less-than-astute "followers," and checked all of the boxes that made them appear holy and "right."

But Jesus demands something else entirely: utter reliance on Him to do anything of any worth.  

Can your pride handle it?  If not, then please, for the love of God and all that is holy, do not claim to be a true Christian.

A true Christian is nothing more than someone who realizes his or her need for God's Presence to do anything of any real worth.  It is the farthest thing from a self-help program you can get.

Can you let yourself be that needy?  Because that is who we truly are: needy.  In need of Christ.

Jesus was never into "helping those who help themselves."  No.  He was all about telling it like it truly is.  Apart from Him we can do nothing.  Jesus was not about, "You got this!"  We don't.  But He does.

He told His apostle Paul that when he was weak, then, and only then (!), he was strong.  No grandstanding for Paul, though out of anyone, he certainly could have grandstanded the most.

So the first thing is, we must admit that we are not able to live a life worthy of God in and of ourselves, apart from Him.  This may seem obvious, but I don't think so.  How do I know?  I don't hear it preached that often.  I'm guessing it isn't preached because it wouldn't be very popular.  After all, how many can stand to hear that they can do nothing?!

But therein lies our best blessing and gift of freedom.  We are set free to truly live a life worthy of God because it is not up to us!  We're off the hook!  Alleluia!

Our only "job" is to allow Christ, through His Holy Spirit in us, to live in us fully.  There's the rub!  Our flesh doesn't like dying.  And by flesh I mean all the rotten stuff that Jesus pointed out that exists in us apart from Him.  Lust, pride, greed, selfishness, rebellion, etc., etc.  That's all we have to offer, folks.  And the longer we walk with Jesus, the more we are keenly aware of just how rotten we are in and of ourselves!

The more He lives in us, the more we realize just how unlike Him we are in the flesh.  It's called the fall. Thanks, Adam and Eve!

We realize that the good, the love, the grace that comes out of us is all Him and His life inside of us.  Again, we are off the hook and this is freeing.

We don't have to keep trying and striving to be "good" or holy or any other way we think a "good Christian" should be.

As a good friend of mine use to say, "Happy dying!"

Less trying, more dying.

Dying to self.  Dying to our "rights" and how we think the "good life" should look or be lived. Dying even to how a "good Christian" should behave and leaving all that goodness stuff up to God in us.

So go on now and say it with me: I can't, but He can.  Go on.  Say it again and keep on saying it until it tastes good in your mouth!  I can't, but He can.  

I can't forgive my enemy, but Christ in me can.
I can't give without expecting to receive in return, but Christ in me can.
I can't be holy and admit that I don't even know what that truly is, but Christ in me can.
I can't be perfect, mature, and righteous, but Christ in me can.
I can't find true and lasting peace and happiness in and of myself (or in anyone else for that matter), but Christ in me provides His own lasting joy, peace, and contentment.
I can't find anything or anyone to truly hope in without being disappointed, but when my hope is in Christ I have true and eternal hope that never disappoints.

And the list goes on.

Once you truly embrace the truth that you can't, but He can, I promise you that you will experience freedom as never before (if you don't already live this way).  

Let's be true Christians!  Let's allow Christ to live in us fully and watch Him do all of the things that we want to do but never could in a million years.  You will not only have your own mind blown but the minds of those around you.  Go on!  Let them see what living the Christian life is really all about.  Warning:  you will no longer be "in control" (you never were, anyway) but you will be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  Therein lies everything you are looking for.