No Good Thing Apart from God

Without God in our life we could not truly see our poor state. Yes, we are in a poor state in this sinful flesh. We could only realize and understand it fully when we develop a relationship with God. Much like getting to know a friend and developing a strong bond of friendship is how it is to get to know God and growing in the knowledge and grace in Him. He opens our mind to the truth.

I marvel at how the Words of God gives His people the discernment and the eyes of understanding. The more we read His Word, the more we understand how the world works and all evil in it. We could easily identify falsehood and see through lies. We could discern what is of God and what is not. These knowledge and wisdom do not come from our own. They are not carnal works. They are the works of the Spirit of God in our life. So, even in our own way of living, we are confronted by our own sins and the need of a Savior. Without God, we could not see and understand all of these. Without the working of the Holy Spirit we could not grasp how much we need God every day of our life. Thus, we are renewed when we walk in obedience to God.

“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

– Romans 12:2 (WEB)

Having a personal relationship with God releases us from pride of self. It is humbling to know and realize that the mighty God can love a sinner like me. It is transformative. Having a personal relationship with God enables us to experience His greatest love and grace. It changes our mind and lets us realize that we are, after all, nothing without God.

As we grow in our knowledge and faith in God, the more we understand that only God can sustain us. We could not live our own life and achieve our own ambition without the hand of God upon us. Provision, protection, health, knowledge, and skills— all of these come from God. This is what the Holy Spirit convicts us of and teaches us. No more is the arrogant and self-centered individual. God takes the praises, recognition, and adoration. We are content and we take joy in the truth that without God, we are nothing. Without God, we have no good thing in us because even the desire to do good and the goodness springing up in our heart come from God. It is God who changes heart and mind to enable us to do good. Apart from God, our flesh wins and sin reigns.

“My soul, you have said to Yahweh, ‘You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.’ ”

– Psalms 16:2 (WEB)

Let us never forget that apart from God we have no good thing in us. This is contrary to what the world teaches that all of man are good or are innately good. The Bible says, we are sinful and none of us are good without God’s work in our life. Let us continue to rely on God and obey His will for our life and bring forth fruits of goodness in glory to His name.