On Not Living the Christian Life (continued)

October 9, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
OK! Surely by now you have accepted the fact that you cannot live the Christian life; that doing so is above your pay scale—way above it. Hopefully, I have convinced you that even your trying is in vain—a complete waste of precious time. Yes, I know it is difficult to have to admit that “your righteousness” is as a filthy rag before God, that all the “good deeds” you have so enthusiastically credited to your account, amount to nothing more than dung for the compost pile. I am trusting, however, that you have humbled yourself and admitted what you know to be true, and that you are now a bona fide member of the “I Can-not Live the Christian Life” club.
It is quite possible that some of your are thinking, “OK, I will admit that I cannot live the Christian life, but, surely, I must do the best I can to keep the Ten Commandments, to honor God with my tithe, my time, and my talents, to love others, and to love God.” If you weren’t thinking it, you are now, so let’s talk.
Why should you attempt to do the best you can when it will NEVER amount to any-thing but rubbish? What makes you think that “the best you can do” is even worth considering? Please listen up: Jesus did not come to help you to do the best you can, He came to die, so you could die to doing your best, so He could live in and through your life, and, thus, credit His best to your account.
Before I offer more, please take some time and think about this, as I really do want you to get it, as in see it as truth, believe it, and take ownership of it. Doing so will change your life for the better, you will finally understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB).