Jesus declared in John 15:5, “Apart From me you can do nothing!” This is a humbling but true conclusion Jesus Christ wants every one of us to come to. Man, though powerful in many ways, is incapable of accomplishing anything of eternal value without being associated with Jesus Christ.
What good is the intention to do good if we do not have the ability to carry out our intentions consistently? What good is accomplishment in any and every other area of life if we cannot fulfill moral objectives consistently? What good is the ability to subdue the earth and rule over all that is in the world, if we cant subdue our own evil hearts and rule them in conformity to God’s will?
Paul declared in Romans 5:6, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” The word “helpless” refers to man’s utter inability to work out his own salvation. He is, therefore, without hope. Trying to please God under these circumstances is futile.
Knowing our weakness God at the right time sent His Son to do for us what we could not do for ourselves (Romans 5:6). We cannot remove the load of our sin. It is Christ who died for the ungodly, thus taking the load of our sin on Himself. He bore our sins away, carrying them up to the cross (1 Peter 2:24).
This is the grace of God. God does for us what we are incapable of doing. What is impossible with man is possible with God. We are spiritually impotent. He is omnipotent.
The preaching of this truth is foolishness to those who do not believe. But to those who do, it is the power of God unto salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18).
