Through the Lord

September 12

If we are honest with ourselves, we will acknowledge that we have some area or other within our personhood that is lacking in some measure. Perhaps we discovered as students that while we had an amazing proclivity for accuracy and mastery in some areas of study, there were others that found us totally deficient.

It was once believed that boys enjoyed a greater potential for success in math and science while girls were better with writing and reading. Whatever our natural gifts may be, it is generally concluded that resolute effort, when applied to a course of study, will result in a high level of success in performing it.

There is one area, however, where nothing we do through our own effort can result in success. We cannot, through any amount of generosity or sacrifice or righteous living, save ourselves. We are entirely unable to attain God’s high standard—perfection—by ourselves. It is only by our acceptance of Christ’s perfectly lived life in our behalf that we can attain Heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-10 makes this truth perfectly clear. It says, “It is by grace you are saved through faith—and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do the good works He wants us to do.” Of ourselves, we can do nothing of spiritual value. Through the Lord and His salvation and the strength His power in us gives, we can do all things.