The question; “Why is it so difficult to live the Christian life?” has been asked many times and in various ways during the past 2000 and 176 years respectively. Many articles and books have been written in an attempt to deal with this apparent dilemma. The Scriptural answer lies in the history of the first denominated people. Paul tells us that, “they entered not in because of unbelief”, yet every Christian will tell you that they do believe, so how could this be the answer?
As one example, there is a constant feeling that we need to be “doing something” to prove that we are righteous Christians. However, when Christ speaks - it is so. If you have repented and asked Him for His righteousness, He will declare you to be righteous, and at that very moment you are righteous. If we then decide to go back and try to “do something” to prove this, rather than simply taking Him at His word, remaining, abiding and resting in Him, allowing Him to work according to His will and good pleasure in us, then we have repeated the history of the Jews, and are in unbelief. The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a chronicle of this perpetual problem.
Why do Christians think that they have to be always “doing something” to prove their religion, instead of submitting and allowing Christ to live His life in and through them? When we are stung with the “sting of death”, which “is sIn”, the I-ndependant nature of self becomes the predominant trait and it refuses to submit. Until this is overcome by the indwelling Christ, the problem will persist.
No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. COL 159
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:25,26
He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit…The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. DA 172,805
To live the Christian life is the easiest thing in the world, if it were not, there would be an excuse for not living it. But all are without excuse, for He has already lived it for us and will live it in us. When we allow Him to do this the Christian life is not difficult at all.
Absolute dependance on Christ for everything!
For without Me ye can do nothing John 15:5
