“If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Jesus dismisses such rugged individualism:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15: 5)
God is at work within us, granting us his life, leading us by his spirit, blessing us according the promises which he gave to Father Abraham and provides for us according to his Word.
God is at work within us, granting us his life, leading us by his spirit, blessing us according the promises which he gave to Father Abraham and provides for us according to his Word.
We are made free through dependence, walking by faith, not by sight, not depending on our own efforts, having no confidence in the flesh.
In fact, for the believer who tries to accomplish anything through His own efforts, he will only frustrate the grace of God and the power of Christ Jesus in his life:
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5: 4)
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5: 4)
In fact, we have the works which God wants to do through us already in us:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
and
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
The Lord has made us a new creation in His Son (2 Corinthians 5: 17). In His Son, He has placed the good works which He wants us to do.
And He helps us to do them:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4: 13)
How do we activate the works within us? By believing on Him:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
Therefore, taking Governor LePage's bold individualism, let us infuse his message with the Truth:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
and
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
The Lord has made us a new creation in His Son (2 Corinthians 5: 17). In His Son, He has placed the good works which He wants us to do.
And He helps us to do them:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4: 13)
How do we activate the works within us? By believing on Him:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
Therefore, taking Governor LePage's bold individualism, let us infuse his message with the Truth:
As He is in me, so it is to be!
Which we know by the following verse:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. " (1 John 4: 17)
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