Day 29

Recognizing inherent human inability is crucial if we are going to live the life God has called us to live.

‘I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.’ (Romans 7:18)

Suppose I possessed a brand-new Rolls Royce. With leather upholstery, state-of-the-art stereo system, GPS, iPad– the car is loaded with every factory option. But even though the car is admired by my neighbours, it has no engine. If my neighbours wake up to see it parked outside my house, they might be impressed. But if one of them asks me, ‘Charles, may I come for a ride in your car?’ I am going to look somewhat embarrassed. A car without an engine isn’t going anywhere!

This illustrates the Christian life! The Rolls Royce may have all its luxurious features yet is totally incapable of behaving like a car. We were never created to be sufficient for our own life. We were created to be empowered by the indwelling presence of God. Hence Jesus said, ‘apart from Me you can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)

Without Christ we do not have what it takes to be what we were created to be. Christ is the engine, and we are to live in dependence upon His enabling and His indwelling. Not that we are passive, for we are to be actively obedient, but our obedience flows out of our dependence on Him.

Have you discovered Christ to be the engine of the Christian life?