Why Self Effort Never Works

Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done or could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in 2 Corinthians 3:5helps me in those times. It says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” 

The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to help us accomplish our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life in and through us. His adequacy is the key. 

Our ability to be and our ability to do that to which God calls us comes from Christ in us. 

Instead of trying to live the Christian life in our own strength, we can pray, “Fill me with Your Spirit so I walk by Your adequacy.” That is our hope-filled prayer. 

Thank You, Jesus, that You are in me and more than ADEQUATE for everything pertaining to life and godliness. 

We don’t have to walk our Christian journey alone. Jesus sent us a Helper—the Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christ’s gift, listen to this free podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.