One year when Marisa and I were itinerating, visiting churches in California to report on our work in Spain, we arrived for a service in a small town in the Central Valley. We asked a man on the street where we could find the Assembly of God church. He assured us that he knew where it was but in all seriousness said, “You can’t get there from here.” He repeated that several times. So I then asked him, “Is there some place around here that we can go to and from there get to the church?” “Yes!” he said and pointed out a small market and from the market it was easy to get to the church.

Obviously, talking from a geographical point of view, it is a silly response. Even if we were in China we could eventually arrive at the church in that town. It would cost money and time, but we could arrive.

Spiritually, however, that statement makes sense.

Everything I need for my life and ministry is beyond my reach. My efforts to get what I need have been spectacular failures.

One example is if I need peace, even though I make all efforts, even if I tell myself to “chill out”, I can not enjoy the peace that I need. Perfect peace comes to those whose mind is stayed on God: because they trust in God.1 Instead of striving to get the result I need, I have to concentrate on that which is going to produce the desired result. Peace that passes all understanding does not come from my own efforts, it comes from not being anxious and from praying with thanksgiving.2

The same can be said about spiritual strength. Living the life that God expects from us requires spiritual strength. Our natural tendency is to strive. But Biblically, renewed strength comes from waiting on the Lord.3 We don’t even need to go on vacation to renew our strength (and I love vacation).

I need self control to be able to serve Him. But self control is not a part of my personality. It is a fruit of the Spirit.4

Holiness is something that God requires.5 We have an innate tendency to think that yeah, salvation is by faith but after that I have to live out the Christian life — of course, with Jesus’ help. I tried this and ended up spiritually exhausted.

Galatians speaks about those that believe that salvation is by faith but afterward strive in themselves to be holy and to please God with their works. My works are still filthy rags.6 They are “christian” (with a small “c”) filthy rags, but they are still filthy rags. According to Romans 10:3, this is a direct result of our ignorance. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” I have to submit to God’s righteousness.

Should I go on? Where does the anointing that I need so badly come from? Where do I get my guidance? What about the power I need, or the discernment, or the Agape love? I desperately need them but cannot produce them myself. I can’t get there from here.

It doesn’t depend on me. It is impossible to live the life that God expects from me. Yet, if I submit to God, through faith in Him, “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” are given to me through His divine power.7

The difference between doing it in my own strength and letting God do it through me is the difference between works and fruit.

1- Isaiah 26:3 2- Philippians 4:6,7 3- Isaiah 40:31 4- Galatians 5:23 5- 1 Peter 1:16 6- Isaiah 64:6 7- 2 Peter 1:3

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