Thursday, December 29, 2011

Human Effort Accomplishes Nothing

“It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.” John 6:63

I often find myself frustrated, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Have you ever been there? Maybe like me, you have even found yourself doubting your ability to do certain things, or be the child God has called you to be.

I have doubted myself. I have questioned and even wondered if spiritual change was taking place within me. Am I growing? Am I reflecting His image, His character, His Word?

Am I…

Can I…

Will I…

Who am I kidding, I am not…nor will I ever be…

These thoughts they run through this weak mortal brain of mine. But through the thickness of these thoughts, these words, these doubts. Something light, yet solid and strong, seeps in and glides over the thickness of these words and shouts.

“HUMAN EFFORT ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING.” John 6:63

It is the Spirit…

You can do nothing on your own. For I am the vine you are the branch, If a man remains in Me and I in him, he can produce much fruit. APART from Me, he can DO NOTHING. (John 15:5)

I must stop this effort to accomplish Jesus likeness on my own. I must sit here in this truth, that my human effort can accomplish nothing, but doubt, frustration, exhaustion, weariness, and even produces more self than selfless. I must sit here in this truth, that it is the Spirit within me that accomplishes eternal life, gives eternal life. It is the Spirit within me that accomplishes Christ likeness, gives aid, help, guidance, and the ability to grow and change.

It is the Spirit, which Christ left, to fill me, with His presence, His love, His guidance, His peace, His Word, His comfort, and the desire to grow DAILY, to love DAILY, to be more selfless DAILY, and to be madly in love with HIM more and more every day.

I am relinquishing my own human effort, so to live by the power of the Spirit.

Jesus You have made clear the importance of the Spirit and the NEED for Him. Thank You for leaving such a great counselor behind to lead me closer to You. Amen