We fail because we trust ourselves.

Andrew Murray

Life can be very stressful at times. Even our ordinary life can be both stressful and boring bringing us to the point of despair. We wonder how we will ever get through it. Right? Many times at the end of the day we look back and wish we would have made better choices, was kinder and had not failed as a Christian.

When we are drawing from our abilities or resources, it is what the Bible calls drawing from the flesh. Carnality. Our flesh, our abilities offer nothing of spiritual value. This isn’t even God helping us be strong. He doesn’t want to make our abilities stronger. 

If we fail, it is our flesh (our abilities), carnal. What else can we expect? Is our flesh holy? No. It will never be holy. To depend on our abilities, even with God’s help, is being carnal and sets us up for failure. Looking to the flesh for spiritual qualities is like looking to the desert for a cool drink of water. Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.”

God our source of Life does not fail

What if we could let someone else live today for us so we could just relax knowing all will be in good hands? Someone who cares about us.

God wants to. It is God living through us, meeting all of life’s demands, and asking nothing of us except that we yield to Him. He will live for us. Keeping our eyes on Him, expecting all from Him that we need to live each day. God does not fail.

It is His life in us. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20. When we begin to believe that Jesus wants to live in us through the Holy Spirit, we will be free of destructive behaviors and failure. Remember, God does not fail.

The Holy Spirit produces fruit, not failure

If we look to our abilities we will fail. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, His life will flow through our spirit and into our soul with patience, love, gentleness, strength, stability, peace, even joy no matter what we are dealing with. He does not fail.

Even when we go through very difficult times which for me was six weeks ago when I lost my oldest brother. The second loss in one year. Yes, it was difficult, but I just let Jesus live through me. It was much better that way.

Jesus was the only person that lived the Christian life. No one else. So if we allow Him to live through us, He will live the Christian life for us. Paul said, “It is no longer I that lives, but Christ that lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 What a life-transforming truth!

Currently, we are all going through something we’ve never experienced before and it can be very trying, stressful and even frightening. This too is not too hard for Jesus. He can handle it. Let’s give Him permission to live for us.

Words to light your path

Romans 8:6,7 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells.

Gracious Father, You have provided all we need to live the Christian life by giving us Jesus. May we give Him permission to live through us.

For more on this – 

Exchanged Life