Apart from Me You Can Do Nothing

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Apart from Me You Can Do Nothing

Memories are so precious.     Such is the memory  of our son’s third birthday,  ever so many years ago.     Grandpa and Grandma  gave him a beautiful, green denim jacket.     It looked like a real  “big man’s”  jacket.     As he struggled trying  to put it on,  there were several offers  from grownups to help,  but he insisted  that he could do it  all by himself.

And, he finally did — but,  it was upside down.     It was so uncomfortable that way,  but he still was glad  to have it on,  while he groaned and fidgeted  with the strange fit.     After awhile,  he let Mommy help him  make it fit better.     Then,  it was time  to joyously run around  because it felt so good.     It was just a wonderful time.

Our son greatly desired  to be independent  and do things  all by himself.     And,  we all greatly desired  to help him.     When help was finally given,  there was joy  and relief  for everyone,  because we could imagine the feeling  of an upside down jacket.

Independence can be very good to a point,  within the right parameters.      We do need the courage  to try new things,  experiment,  and learn.     But,  no matter what we want to do in life — there is always the bottom line  of the truth  of our actual need  for dependence.     It is vital  to learn the right kind  of dependence.

In absolutely everything we do,  we need  to depend  on God’s help  and guidance.     We cannot even breathe  without God’s support,  so why should we vainly imagine  we can do everything else  without our Lord and Creator?     In John 14:6,  Jesus says,  “I am the way,  and the truth,  and the life;  no one comes  to the Father,  but through Me.”

Our end goal should be eternal life  in heaven  —  the “fitting on”  of our “white robes”  in heaven.     So,  everything we do in life needs  to be leading us  to our goal — and Jesus is the only way  we can get there.     If we don’t depend  on Jesus  to help us,  we simply cannot do  anything right.     If we refuse  to depend on Jesus,  things don’t feel right  in life — because they simply are not right.     The only right way is depending  on Jesus  and His ways.

That is why Jesus told His disciples  in John 15:5,

I am the vine,  you are the branches;  he who abides  in Me,  and I  in him,  he bears much fruit;  for apart from Me  you can do nothing.

Apart from Jesus,  we can do nothing.     Nobody can.     We can see the failures  in lives all around us.     Everyone who boldly claims independence  from God  is floundering  in this life  as they continue  to refuse salvation  in Jesus Christ.     In their floundering,  they struggle  with the effects  of their various sins — and  although they are uncomfortable,  they continue  in their independence  from God’s loving help.     It’s misery ad infinitum.

When we let God help us,  we will find comfort,  joy,  love,  and the freedom  of being right  with our Savior  forever and ever.

Then we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  apart from You,  I cannot do anything right.     I need You  every step  of the way through this life.     You are my Help,  Strength,  Comfort,  Joy,  and Life.     Let me always abide  in You.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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