Toddlers aspire to independence, insisting, “I want to do it by myself!” Years later, they ambitiously venture into the “real” world as teenagers. Adults also have their fair share of autonomy, whether we really want it or are forced to fly solo.
Learning to survive is one thing, but relying solely upon oneself is another. Left completely up to ourselves, we may not do so well. Supplies are limited, situations are complicated, and ability is finite. Some of us have wound up empty trying to get by on our own.
I myself can testify that working hard and striving after perfection, while partially beneficial, gain nothing of true meaning. In fact, it produces an array of unwanted emotions and circumstances that hinder rather than help.
I’ve proven it to myself and seen it play out in others’ lives. On our own, we don’t really get ourselves anywhere except right back where we started.
This is the hopeless state of humanity apart from the saving grace of God. Ephesians 2:12 reminds us: “You were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
On our own, we were lost. But at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”
– Titus 2:11-14
Apart from Jesus Christ, we are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing (John 1:3, 15:5, Romans 11:36).
In Christ, we are new, have everything, and can do all things (2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Peter 1:3, Philippians 4:13).
The whole point of the gospel is that we could not, cannot, and never will be able to achieve favor with God on our own. From the beginning, God had made a way—the Way—to reconcile us to Him.
God’s Provision: In the Garden of Eden, the Father promised a Savior. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Son submitted as the Savior.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman,and between your offspring and her offspring;He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” … “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
– Genesis 3:15, Galatians 4:4
Word of the Week: Adoption. Sinners, once lost on our own, now legally belong to God as sons and daughters, purchased by Jesus Christ Himself.
No longer on our own.
Abby
