11.21.07
“I CAN’T — HE CAN!”
Romans 7:18-19
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”
“I can’t–He can–That’s all I need to know—Let’s go!” I cannot recall who I heard make this statement, but I am sure it was from a sermon tape. Some of you may be able to recall the old reel to reel tapes before the days of cassettes and CD’s. You might say it was in the days of the dinosaurs!
There were wonderful messages by Donald Barnhouse, Howard Hendricks, Major Ian Thomas, J. Sidlow Baxter, just to name a few. When I was on my one year assignment to Newfoundand, Canada, I spent hour after hour with my tapes and following along in my Bible. A whole new world of spiritual truth was opened to me.
In yesterday’s Daily-E-Votional, we were left with a rather dismal view of ourselves–without Christ, we are nothing. If we were to stop at that juncture, we would be left with a bleak outlook. Hang on folks, there’s good news ahead. Even with that realization In Philippians 4:13, Paul breaks forth with this message of hope: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (If that doesn’t stir your embers, your campfire is dying out!)
This is the secret to the successful Christian life. It is Christ in us that enables us to be effective in the work of the Lord. So why should we be concerned about working for the Lord? Again let me turn to Scripture for the answer. In II Peter 3:10-13, the apostle Peter wakes us up to reality: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
There is one phrase in this passage that stands out for me: ” - - - what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness - - ?” Think about that for awhile. It is not the things of this world that matter, but eternity that counts. If this is the case (it is) why are we expending so much of our time, talents and treasures on those things that will be consumed with a fervent heat?
Tomorrow and Friday we will be considering the Practical Patterns of Personal Performance. Stay tuned!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil