Monday, January 09, 2012

DON'T TRUST IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH


"When we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6).
“Is the Christian's strength in the Lord, and not in himself? Surely then, the person outside of Christ must be a poor, impotent creature, helpless to do anything to effect his own salvation. If a living tree cannot grow without sap from the taproot, how can a rotten stump, which has no root, revive itself of its own accord? In other words, if a Christian imbued with God's grace must continually rely on His strength, then surely the one outside of God's grace, dead in trespasses and sin, can never produce such strength in himself. To be unregenerate is to be impotent.
The philosophy called humanism has long been a suitor to man's pride. It boasts in his natural strength and wisdom, and woos him with promises of great accomplishments now, and heaven later. God Himself has scattered such Babel-builders and proclaimed His preeminence for eternity. Renounce carnal wisdom which cannot perceive spiritual things, and beg wisdom of God, who gives without rebuke (James 1:5).
Here is a word for Christians. Knowing your strength lies wholly in God and not in yourself, remain humble-- even when God is blessing and using you most. God's favor is neither the work of your own hands nor the price of your own worth. How can your boast of what you did not buy? If you embezzle God's strength and credit it to your own account, He will soon call an audit and take back what was His all along.”

I have edited out parts of todays devotion but what remains is from our text and is a powerful teaching.
For the complete devotional purchase  'The Christian in Complete Armour daily devotional by Gurnall and Bell.
http://www.moodypublishers.com/

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