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You're Trying

In the last few days I have been in touch with several missionaries. In addition I know several other Christians with the same problems.

First: All of these people are students of the Bible.
Second: They are unashamed of Jesus Christ
Third: They want to Obey God

The problem is that they are “tryers,” they “try.” When a person tries, whom does he trust? Himself! That’s a dumb person to trust. As long as he is trying to live the Christian life he is going to fall. It is not a question as to whether he is going to fall; it is only a question of when.

The Christian life is one of “trusting,” not “trying.” Remove the word “try” from your vocabulary. It is a dirty word.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” (Colossians 2:6)

How did you receive Christ Jesus the LORD? By trying? No! It was by grace through faith. How do you walk? The same way you received. By grace through faith! Forgiveness is by grace. Obedience is by grace and faith.

These people have been diligent “tryers” all of their lives. They have put their all into it. They think it is a virtue. They are not walking in love, joy, and peace unless they do it by effort.

“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:1-5)

All of this effort for Jesus is sin. You have been working for him. He has not been working through you. You may say that He has worked through you. OK, but it has not been because of your trying.

In the Lord Jesus Christ,

Jim Wilson

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