#112 THE LIMITS OF SELF-DETERMINATION 9-10-26
There are limits to self-determination. There are limits to willpower. We can make up our minds to do better, try harder, be stronger, and turn our lives around, and those things have their place. But eventually we discover something important: we were never meant to live the Christian life by our own strength. The Christian life is not simply a matter of trying harder. It is a matter of trusting deeper. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
First, we must REST in Christ. Rest does not mean laziness or inactivity. It means we stop pretending that everything depends upon us. We can obey, work, serve, pray, and fight the good fight while knowing that Christ is our strength. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Our confidence is not in how strong we are but in how faithful He is.
Second, we must RELY on Christ. There will be moments when our determination runs out, our courage becomes weak, and our wisdom is not enough. That is when we remember, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). We don’t have to carry tomorrow today. We don’t have to manufacture strength we don’t possess. We can depend upon the One who does.
Third, we must REMAIN with Christ. Beginning with Jesus is wonderful, but we must continue with Him. “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). Remain when life is good. Remain when life is hard. Remain when you feel strong and when you feel weak. Remain when the answers come quickly and when heaven seems silent. Our goal is not merely to walk with Christ for a season, but to keep walking with Him until the end.
So perhaps the Christian life can be remembered with three simple words: REST. RELY. REMAIN. Rest in His grace. Rely on His strength. Remain in His presence. We will never be strong enough to live without Him, but we don’t have to be. Jesus never asked us to be sufficient in ourselves. He simply calls us to come to Him, trust Him, and stay with Him.
BDD
