Acknowledged Powerlessness of the Christian

The question now before us is of great practical importance, and we are deeply anxious to express ourselves clearly and simply. The secret of development of Christian character, is the realization of our own powerlessness, acknowledged powerlessness, and the consequent turning unto the Lord for help. The plain fact is—that of ourselves we are utterly unable to practice a single precept, or obey a single command that is set before us in the Scriptures. For example, ‘Love your enemies’—but of ourselves we cannot do this, or make ourselves do it. ‘In nothing be anxious’—but who can avoid and prevent anxiety when things go wrong? ‘Awake to righteousness and sin not’—but who can help sinning? These are merely examples selected at random from scores of others.

Does then God mock us by bidding us do what He knows we are unable to do? The answer of Augustine to this question is the best we have met with, ‘God gives commands we cannot perform, that we may know what we ought to request from Him.’ A consciousness of our powerlessness should cast us upon Him who has all power. Here then is where a vision and view of God’s sovereignty helps, for it reveals His sufficiency and shows us our insufficiency.”

– A.W. Pink (1886-1952)

The Sovereignty of God.