“I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).
“… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)
“I try to read my Bible each morning, but sometimes I fall asleep. I guess I’m not a good Christian,” said a very sincere nurse who works night shift.
How many Christians carry a burden of guilt.
“I’m not witnessing enough,” “ I’m not spending enough time in prayer,” “I should be doing more in the church.”
Our focus has become on legalistic doing: I must keep these rules and then I’m a good Christian. When we are doing this we’re treating Christianity like a religion. But vital Christianity is not a religion. It’s not a set of do’s and dont’s. It’s a new life in Christ, a new way of doing life.
We receive Jesus into our hearts and surrender to Him on a daily basis.
He then lives His life in us and through us—a life that is totally impossible for us to live in our own strength. We recognize our own weakness and pray, “Lord Jesus, I give myself to you. Live your life in me and through me now. Be my strength…be my courage…be my wisdom.”
This doesn’t mean we can be lazy Christians. Paul, who spoke to us of this wonderful life in Christ, also wrote these words, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:29) Notice whose energy it is—Jesus Christ’s energy. Being energized by Him we can live a life of love and good works which honors God.
Thank you, Jesus, that you are living in me, not just in theory, but in actual fact. Therefore, I have all the resources I need to live this day productively.
By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
FURTHER READING
• Feelings, Forgiveness and Peace
• Keeping Yourself in God’s Love – even during painful times in your life
Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/
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