FACT, YOUR BEST AIN'T GOOD ENOUGH, EVER
We all need more than we have, and more than other people can provide. What we need is not attainable by any human effort. What we need is only obtainable through the miraculous intervention of God.Simon Peter was aboard the boat with other disciples, as it was being tossed about (distressed) by the waves, but Jesus came to them, walking on the water. The others thought they saw a spirit, but Peter realized that it was Jesus. he asked Jesus to enable him to walk on the water also. Jesus told Peter to come to Him. Peter stepped over the side of the boat, and began to walk on the water. Peter could not have walked on the water if Christ had not enabled him.
As Peter was walking, he turned his attention from Christ to the violent and threatening sea. Peter was then being plunged into the watery grave. Peter realized his terrible situation and he urgently cried out, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus reached out and seized Peter, saving him from drowning.
No matter how hard Peter would have tried, he could not have walked on the water, without the miracle of Jesus making it happen.
No matter how hard Peter would have tried, he could not have kept himself from sinking, once he focused on the water, without the miracle of Jesus saving him.
There are things we can do, in the area of "self help" (still with God's help), but those things are not sufficient to save us from the violent and threatening seas of life, no matter how hard we try. Some problems in life, including preparation for eternal life, require Divine intervention, require a miracle from God.
No matter how much you accomplish, it is never good enough to qualify you for eternal life.
No matter how thoroughly you reform, it is never good enough to qualify you for eternal life.
Gaining heaven by the power of your highest jump will not get you very far.
IT TAKES THE MIRACLE OF GOD'S SALVATION TO SET YOU FREE FROM SIN, CLEANSE YOU FROM SIN AND KEEP YOU FROM SIN.
One problem is, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SURRENDER AND DEPEND UPON GOD, because they want to be God and be able to say, "Look what I did."
ONE MORE THING.
Peter could only walk on the water because he was enabled by Christ, when Christ CALLED Peter to Himself. Peter was only able to keep from sinking and drowning because he kept trusting and looking to Jesus for deliverance. In this life, we never outgrow our need for grace through faith.
