Power for Lasting Change

It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God. —2 Corinthians 3:5

I can’t help but be drawn in by self-improvement claims I see on social media. I’m bent toward self-reliance and enjoy feeling like I have the power to change life. The promise of seven easy steps entices me to click through.

But there’s only one way to do anything of true lasting value—dependence on Jesus, a.k.a. faith. Faith is an active resting in the perfect work of Jesus on my behalf. Faith is recognizing any true progress we make as Christians is entirely due to His work in us. The gospel isn’t just an entrance exam to the Christian faith; it’s the power through which lasting change happens.

Stop doing the work of self-improvement and start doing “the work of God,” which is “that you believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29). Any efforts toward holiness that don’t start with helpless dependence on Jesus will at best bring temporary behavior modifications and at worst beget pride and cheapen the cross.

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“The Self-Sufficiency of Self-Improvement” (ReviveOurHearts.com/blog)

Scripture taken from The CSB