Do Your Part

Before we can enjoy any real victory over sin and experience change in our behavior, we must learn that only God can change us (see Galatians 3:2-5). We cannot perfect ourselves and when we try to do so, we only become very frustrated. God has called us to perfection and has given us perfect hearts, but the working out of it is a process that takes faith, patience, and time. As we face truth, admit our faults, and place our faith in God to change us we will see results, but we must trust His timing. Things do not always happen when we think they should.

We are partners with God and we do have a port to play. Our part is to believe and obey any specific instruction God might give us; His part is to work the good thing He has placed inside of us to the outside of us where it can be seen and enjoyed by others and ourselves. When we get into "works of the flesh" (our energy trying to do God's job) we get frustrated. God Himself frustrates, opposes, and defeats us until we humble ourselves and lean entirely on Him (see 1 Peter 5:5). It took a long time, but I finally learned that every time I felt frustrated I had stopped trusting God and started trusting myself to accomplish whatever needed to be done at the time.

We received Christ totally by faith and that is the same way we must live our lives. We realize that we need to change and frequently become very disappointed with ourselves-even feel condemned-when we do not. We are much better off to put all the energy we use trying to change our selves int prayer and trust God to do what needs to be done.

By faith God is working in you and you will see wonderful changes, but you must turn the project of your perfection over to Him entirely. Let God be God in your life! Instead of saying, "I'll never change," say, "God is working in me as I trust Him, and I believe I am getting better and better every day. God is strengthening me in my weaknesses and helping me overcome bad habits.

*Page 1915* (The Everyday Life Bible)
(The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living)
(Amplified Version)
(Featuring Notes and Commentary By:)
(Joyce Meyer)