“…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
(Philippians 2:13)
As a child of God, we cannot originate or express any aspect of spirituality – grace, faith, love, spiritual power, etc. – on our own. The presence and expression of every spiritual virtue in us is possible only through God’s intervening assistance and sanctifying grace through His Spirit dwelling in us.
This truth is documented many times over in Scripture: “Turn You me, and I shall be turned. Surely after that I was turned, I repented,” (Jer. 31:18-19). “It is God that worketh in us both to will, and to do, of His good pleasure,” (Phil. 2:13). Christ said, “without Me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5). Paul acknowledges, “not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is of God,” (2 Cor. 3:5).
To this Augustine adds, “They are most sharply and vehemently to be resisted who think that without the help of God, by the very force of human will, they are able either to perfect righteousness or to profit in tending to it.”
Christlikeness is only possible because of God’s initial and continual grace working in us and through us. He heals us, and then continues to nurture us that we may grow. He calls us, and then He continues to strengthen our faith that He may be glorified through us. He sanctifies us and continues to make us holy so that we may enjoy life with Him from now on. It is true that without Him we can do nothing.
Some might say, “I can do some things on my own. At least I feel like I can.”
But consider this… you cannot subdue the dominion of your sins. You cannot rid yourself of them by casting them into the depths of the sea. You cannot crucify them (Mic. 7:19; Rom. 8:13; Gal. 3:5). Nor can you cleanse yourself from all corruption, such that neither spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing remains (Eph. 5:25-27). These are the singular works of God and of Jesus Christ by His Spirit.
You cannot, by any power of your own or by the help of any creature, come to receive Christ as Savior. You cannot secure a relationship with God in covenant, unless God Himself, the Father of Jesus Christ, draws you (John 6:44). But if He pleases to effectually draw you, to draw your mind, your conscience, your will, your heart and affections, then you shall not only come to Him, but even run after Him (Song of Songs 1:4).
You cannot, of yourself, ever please God. You cannot generate a desire for Him that you might gain eternal happiness. For it is God that works in us to will as well as to do (Phil. 2:13), it is God’s Spirit that puts desire into our hearts for Him. Without the Holy Spirit’s direction, we don’t even know what we should be praying for (Rom. 8:26-27).
Finally, you cannot of yourself do service that is acceptable to God, nor bring forth fruit to God, without Christ’s mediating influence and assistance (John 15:4-5; Phil. 2:13).
Seeing these things are utterly beyond the realm of human capability, never presume that you can be your own savior or deliverer by anything you think you might possess. Rather, ask God to rid your soul of any self-sufficiencies you may be holding on to that you may come to realize in the depths of your being that it is God alone in you, working His will through you, that accomplishes His good pleasure. For neither you nor I can do anything worthy of His kingdom without Him.
- Lord, I know that no one can rescue himself out of his natural state by his own ability (John 1:12; Phil. 2:13; Eph. 2:1-5). I am so happy You rescued me. I am so thankful that I can now lean on You, look to You and to Your Spirit, and that You gladly give me such strength and aid me every day to please You in reverence and godly fear.
- It’s amazing how many people can hear Your Word without any benefit to their soul. Herod heard John the Baptist gladly (Mark 6:20). The Scribes and Pharisees heard You (Matt. 21:45). Judas heard You teach many times over. Simon Magus heard Philip preaching (Acts 8:12-13). It is a mistake to think that merely hearing, or even praying, will be enough. The sailors in Jonah’s ship prayed in the storm (Jonah 1:5-6). Pharisees even pray (Matt. 6:5 and Luke 18:10, etc.). Sinful men cannot benefit by such things unless Your Spirit moves them, changes them, and renews them.
- Lord, the abilities which You have entrusted me with I should employ them to Your honor and my own eternal benefit (Matt. 25:14-31; Luke 19:12-13). As You tell me, talents are not to be buried in the earth. But I can do nothing without You, so I ask You to cause my talents to be used for my good and Your glory.
- Lord, You say in Philippians 2:13 that “…it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” What a blessed thought it is that all those who believe in Jesus Christ by faith with such a new nature can actually please You in their service?
Further References for Phil. 2:13:
Heb. 13:21; 1 Cor. 12:6; Eph 1:5; 1 Cor. 15:10; Isa. 26:12; 2 Cor. 3:5; Eph. 1:11
