"I can do it all by myself!" declares the stubborn five year old ignoring the offer of help from her mother as she tries desperately to reach a toy on a high shelf. Clearly, it is a vain effort for the little girl to do that which she is evidently incapable of doing. Yet as we get older, that self-sufficient, independent mindset isn't left behind with childhood but held dear and commonly encouraged. Even as believers, we can struggle with trying to do in our own strength the things which the Bible clearly states can't be done apart from God. We try to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures without seeking the guidance of the One who wrote them. We try to evangelize without the aid of the Holy Spirit. We try to be kind and charitable, but ultimately, we end up frustrated and discouraged. Philippians 4:13 is a familiar verse, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." If we can do all things through Christ, then the reverse must also be true: I can do nothing if Christ doesn't strengthen me. While meditating on a memory passage, a certain phrase struck me, "...verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of Himself..." (John 5:19) If the Son of God Himself can't do anything apart from God, who are we to even attempt it?
