October 30
“We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we
should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.”
-2 CORINTHIANS 1:9
should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.”
-2 CORINTHIANS 1:9
Know that Christ is not here to help you become a better person, but to make you so weak in yourself and so sick of your own way that you can do nothing but trust in Him to do what you at last realize you cannot do. It does not matter if that something “we cannot do” is save ourselves, control our temper, get along with others, raise our children, or overcome a lustful habit. The course is the same. After many attempts and failures we at last realize we cannot, so we throw ourselves on the mercy of God and trust Him to do what we cannot do.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden
CHIP BROGDEN is an author, teacher, and former pastor who shares "real, simple, truth" about a Christ-centered faith that is based on relationship, not religion. Learn more »
I so agree with this. Back in 1988, The Lord had to deliver me from the lust of wanting a husband before He introduced me to the one I’ve been happily married to since 1989. His most recent work in my life is weight loss of 74lbs and counting. The most I ever accomplished on my own was 20lbs. “Oh thank you Lord!!!”
Rose,
Bless you for allowing the Lord to help you get to better health. I’m sure you feel better physically, but most of all spiritually. Praise the Lord! for His direction in your life. He only wants us to yield to Him, so He can give us His best, which is Himself.
From the day the Lord saved me April, 2003, He is helping me to let go and let Him. I thought I was an OK person until the Lord saved me from myself, but from that day forward I see how the flesh is evil and fading away. He has delivered me from addictions, trusting the world and much more, but I’m still a work in progress. Praise the Lord!, for His mercies endure forever. I thank Him every day for saving me from darkness and giving me new life in Him and Him alone.
Wow! This was perfect timing for me. I needed to read it and have that reminder.
Amen… Apart from Him , I can do nothing.
GOD alone can help save us from ourselves. This much we know in the depths of our hearts and souls. When we have no other place to turn and all is against us; then Jesus Christ Himself can and WILL reach out to us, touch us in our misery and hardship, and lift us up. Many can testify: “If it wasn’t for the Lord, I don’t where I’d be. I would probably be dead.” BUT YOU WERE DEAD SPIRITUALLY. His grace has literally kept me from destroying myself. It has kept me from homelessness. It has healed me. IT HAS GIVEN ME NEW LIFE! How can we ever thank Him enough for all His mercies and faithfulness towards us? We give Him our ALL. Only that alone will assure us that we are His, and He is Ours! Hallelujah what a savior!
Perfect statement! Thanks Chip for your continuous glorying in the cross.
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away (self sufficiency) ; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God,… (the emphasis in italics is mine)
Can not be my Christ! He has redeemed me and once we become “New person” , born of God, having His living spirit in us (John 1:12.13)- He is not making us sick at all. Sickness comes from the enemy of God and a man. John 10: 1-30.
Definitely needs to be refrased ” make you so weak in yourself and so sick in ….” First of all there isn’t a scripture on it and secondly Christ’s anointing is in business to do just the opposite. A man is making himself “weak and sick ” by separating himself from Christ or if a ” Christian ” by living disobediently …
You misquoted me. I said “sick of your own way.” That’s not the same thing as what you seem to be objecting to.
The old ego does not like to be reduced ….I have heard it said that we are never more like the devil than when our pride seeks to elevate us !I will I will I will! Jesus came from the Father and took on the form of a servant in our humanity and walked among us and said Thy will Thy Will Thy Will!!!!
This is a very interesting post.
I am convinced that God never forces His will on us, therefore He does not cause us or make us get sick of our own way. Instead He will allow us to keep on doing things our own selfish way until we finally get enough of our way and come to realize that it is not going to ever work. Once again the choice is up to us, but He never abandons us, no matter how we behave.
Granted we may reap some serious consequences from our actions, but I am convinced that God is much more benevolent than punitive.
No, we cannot save ourselves no matter how hard we try. We must keep this principle of the word of God in mind at all times; “all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose”. He bought “all” things on the cross, even the dumb and stupid actions of our own selfish will.
If I do not do certain things of everyday life, they will not be doing alone. And although it’s been years that I cry to God about my disabilities that I know very well…if I trust him or not does not change anything. I´m going to présent Him a list again… but I’ve had enough of dashed hopes…
Thank u , this speaks such volume!! I am going down this road as I text . There are many things I could say or do but , what I’m learning is that is it truly representing God . I am constantly dyeing to my self and yes myself makes me sick sometimes. Myself is my old sinful nature that wants what it wants . It is true . I die to myself moment by moment. My desire is to LOVE . LOVE with an unconditional love . I am asking me constantly is my desires and wants representing Jesus if not the die to those as well .