Hosanna Restoration Church

So often we get the feeling that we need to produce something, when the key to any production in the Christian life is the power of God. We will wear ourselves out if we try to produce apart from Him. When we say we can’t do it, we are absolutely right. We cannot do anything without Him. Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.”

Of course our lives should produce fruit and they will, as we grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Far to often I think that Christians, both young and old, become disillusioned thinking that they need to start doing something. Then they find out that there is too much to do. The enemy will wear you out if you just start thinking that if you do enough you will earn your way into God’s favor.

The truth is that like everything else with God, His favor is a gift. When we believe in His Son Jesus Christ, He places His favor on our lives. By faith, we believe that. By faith we also believe that all things are gifted to us and so we go about receiving the gifts of God. Jesus said, “freely you have received freely give.” When we receive from God, then we have gifts that are worth giving. Then we have gifts that will bless and benefit others.

If on the other hand we try to give what we do not have ourselves, we are presenting someone with unripe fruit. Even if we try to paint it the right color, it will still taste bad. This is why the author asked that the God of peace equip us with all we need for doing His will. God has in fact given us all we need to do His will. When we wait upon the Lord, we will know His will. When we know His will, then we can be sure that we have what we need to produce what He desires.

And remember, He produces through the power of Jesus Christ everything that is pleasing to Him. It is not dependent on our power; it is His power. We can try to do things in our power and even succeed from time to time, but the results will not be lasting. Unless the Lord builds the house; unless the Lord makes the plan and directs the plan; unless the Lord is the author and finisher, the work is in vain.

So let’s go ahead and enter into the rest that Hebrews speaks of. Let’s walk by faith, and rest in the fact that in Christ we can know God’s will. In Christ, we are equipped with everything we need to do God,s will, and the power of Jesus enables us to do all that pleases Him. He will produce through us. We need only to allow Him to have His way.