Only Possible With God

Luke 18: 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray

Jesus said this in the context of the rich man.  But we know that the same is true for every fallen human being.  No one can bring on his own salvation.  It is impossible to follow Christ by our will, our self.  It is only possible with God.

We try to do our best; we fail.  We try harder; we fail.  We really mean it this time; we fail again.  Think of the times and places you find it most difficult to love your neighbor as yourself (let alone your enemy).  It is impossible with man; yet we know it is possible with God – only with God.

Just look for a moment at a man who is learning this lesson.

Every single one of us can see such a man in the mirror – or in a mirror past.  “No way; I can do it on my own, by myself.”  Yet, he stumbles, time and time again. 

Romans 7: 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

When he least expects it, another temptation and another failure.

“I was not watchful enough, I did not make my resolutions strong enough.”

It is like trying to live by the law: if X, then I will do Y.  It doesn’t work.  Because our heart isn’t in it.

Romans 7: 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

We come low, to the point of humility; a recognition that it is impossible for us.

“Lord, what is the meaning of this?  How am I to be freed from the power of sin?”

A changed heart is necessary, and only God can provide the change.

Romans 7: 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Philippians 2: 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Recognize that it is impossible, under your own strength, to live such a life.  Only when we come – or are brought to – the point where we acknowledge we cannot do it, then we are on the road toward absolute surrender. 

The cause of the weakness of your Christian life is that you want to work it out partly, and let God help you.  And that cannot be.  You must come to be utterly helpless, to let God work, and God will work gloriously.

However, many of us try to live this life without God.  Finding it is impossible, some give up; yes, they remain “Christian,” but it is a wretched Christian life: no joy, no strength, no victory.  Why?  He has not grown humble.

Our religious life should be proof that God is at work, in every encounter, every day.  Christianity’s beginning, middle, and end is God’s, and God’s omnipotence.  His omnipotence doesn’t end at our skin – it must penetrate, if we are to live that life of joy and victory.

Do believe that when He takes charge of you in Christ, it is possible for God to make you a man of absolute surrender.

This is the first step toward sanctification – for God, through the Holy Spirit, to sanctify you.  Things that are impossible for me are possible for God. 

Conclusion

…I can do nothing of myself, and so my place is to worship the omnipotent God and to believe that He will work in me every moment.

Never pray without adoring His omnipotence….