To hear sound doctrine is not enough; for hearing without doing produces self-deception (James 1:22), and a house that will not stand in the storms of life (Matthew 7:26-27).
To have faith in what we hear is not enough; for faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
To work – even supernaturally – is not enough; for only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21-23).
How do we know the will of the Father? We ask Him; AND we wait patiently for the answer.
The sufficiency for these things is not in ourselves; our sufficiency is from God (2Corinthians 3:5).
For this, there are conditions: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow after Jesus (Luke 9:23), obey His commandments (John 14:15), abide and bear fruit (John 15:2), etc.
The sufficiency for this is not something given to us as an empowerment of our life – something we own and control. It comes from the Life that is now present and reigning within us.
The idea of “my life empowered” is a subtle and dangerous deception. The sufficient life is His life. This may seem to be an inconsequential distinction – worthy of little consideration.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). That’s NOTHING!
“My life empowered” cannot deny itself, take up its cross, nor follow Jesus. It cannot obey His commandments. It cannot bear fruit. Such a life will not become a disciple of Jesus, nor enjoy His presence.
“My life empowered” cannot know the Father’s will, nor walk in the good works that bring Him glory (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16). Such a life will be rejected in the end.
The exchanged life of Galatians 2:20 and John 12:25 is more radical than we have understood, accepted, and/or pursued. The exchanged life includes righteousness, mind, faith, eyes and ears, etc. We can keep our own or make the exchange. A third option does not exist. No compromises are offered.
Our failure to exchange our life for His leaves us with a life that will not endure to the end, and only those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).
Some of us need a sabbatical to seek the Father’s will regarding these matters; eternal lives are hanging in the balance. Are they worth the sacrifice? More importantly: Is He?
God bless you with wisdom and revelation in these truths, and the courage to pursue them.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob