Why Do We Fail? Key to a Successful Christian Life
Why do we fail?
As new believers we are full of excitement, anticipation, and will power. Experiencing God’s grace and mercy is such a good feeling we think will last forever now that we are reconciled to God.
But that is a feeling. Feelings don’t last. Feelings aren’t trustworthy. Feelings are subject to circumstances. Not reliable.
After a while, life settles down and we once again are walking out our life this time as a member of God’s family. But it is still walking a very ordinary life. We know we have the life of God in us, but we may not realize what that means.
Mistake of depending on our abilities
Most assume that out of gratitude to God for saving us we are to do the best we can to live a Christian life in our own strength, or maybe even asking God to help us live rightly. What a misconception! We can’t do it.
The only person that can live the Christian life successfully is Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ. Not us with His help. Not us after much prayer. Only Jesus Christ. We fail because we trust ourselves.
So what about you? What about me? Are we hopeless? Umm, actually, yes. In our own abilities, yes. Our own abilities will let us down. Oh, we may go for quite a while doing well, but somewhere, sometime we will fail. Besides, our own abilities are from the flesh. What does Apostle Paul tell us about the flesh? It is enmity with God.
Jesus never fails
If only we would realize Christ not only died to pay for our sins and give us eternal life for the future, but we died with Him that He would give us His Life to live through us now, He would live for us. We might and will fail, but He doesn’t ever fail.
He is living in us, but do we give Him the opportunity to live through us? We want to be a vessel for Him to use for His purposes, but do we let Him? Or are we always wanting to be in charge? There are two beings living in you right now. You and God, both with thoughts, purposes, plans, etc. Who is the most important? Who gets to use your hands, mind, words, etc.
Words to light your path
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? NKJV
John 14:24b and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. NKJV
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. NKJV
Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. NKJV
John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. NKJV
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
(Whose fruit is it?)
Remember-take one of the above verses each day and meditate on it, letting it take root in your spirit.
God our Provider, You not only saved us from the wages of our sins when You sent Your Son to die for us, but You also provide daily the ability to live for You now by the Holy Spirit, the Life of Jesus, living in and through us. Always aware of His presence in us, may we live our lives choosing each minute to step aside and give Him permission to live for and through us.
Song – Grace Greater Than Our Sins
The Delight of Despair – Oswald Chambers
