Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing
The world believes in and promotes a philosophy of ambitious self-reliance. How often do we hear the slogans supporting this proposition: “Just do it,” “Be all you can be, and “Aim high” are just a few examples. Dependence is practically a curse word in the brave new world of the self-made man. Man-centered philosophy is natural to self-centered people. “I am so proud of _________________,” is a mindless statement uttered everywhere all the time.
Natural man never considers his vain statements and their gross offense against Almighty God. Of course, this godless worldview spills over into man-centered theology, too. Man-centered churchmen argue against the Word of God in claiming: “It’s my choice,” and “It’s my decision,” regarding salvation. The self-directed Christian life serves as an extension of what was born by a self-designed conversion to Christianity.
The Bible is very helpful in destroying man’s self-esteem, and when it comes to the issue of dependence, no statement argues for one’s absolute dependence like Jesus’ claim in John 15:5c, “for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
As Jesus illustrated this truth using the image of a vine and branches, we get the picture (Jn 15). It is popular for Christians to employ Paul’s statement, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13).” Paul may have been musing on Job’s recognition, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2).” Both of these statements belong to the category of faith. In Job’s case, he is acknowledging God’s sovereign will and power to achieve anything. In Paul’s case, he is giving heed to the truth that all things are possible with God (Mt 19:26). Paul might address our narcissistic tendency by further explaining, “I can do all things because God is in me willing and doing His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).”
Faith is a trusting dependence on someone else. “I don’t know where I am going!” Relax, God leads you to green pastures and still waters (Ps 23), and He will direct your steps (Prv 3:5–6). “I don’t know what I am doing!” Again, relax, God has established His purposes by His decree. He planned it, and He will do it (Is 46:9–11). For Christians, our absolute dependence in all things must rest in the wisdom and power of Christ Jesus. God’s will and purpose will be accomplished in the realm of His providence (Ps 57:2; 138:8). Faith is tested, especially in our weakness. Fortunately, for people of faith, the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Cor 1:25); and Paul unashamedly claimed God’s strength in the midst of his weakness (2 Cor 12:10). “…from weakness were made strong…” is the historical record of God’s people of faith (Heb 11:34).
Biblical imagery affords us another view to dependence. When God refers to His people as sheep, it is a picture of dependence. God is glorified in being our all in all. Lost sheep wander in a place of weakness, but the Good Shepherd will endeavor to find the lost one of His own flock (Ps 23; Jn 10). Provision and protection are granted, by the One who is able to make all grace abound toward the ones He loves with a steadfast love.
People of faith are weak sheep. Imagine a sheep boasting in its natural power and prowess. The whole animal kingdom would laugh like hyenas. No one laughs, however, when a sheep boasts in her great Shepherd. “It’s not about me,“ sounds the crucial testimony of the Christian. Mention the name of Jesus in a public setting, and the room succumbs to an eerie silence. This silent vacuum winkles pride from the human heart. “Be still, and know that I am God,” is the convicting whisper afforded to this momentary meditation on all things bright and beautiful. Then the moment is gone, and men return to their folly.
Self-loathing is a helpful seasoning to one’s Christian witness of Christ. This is why the great apostle made the self-claim, “chief of sinners,” for himself. The lower a Christian’s self-assessment sits, the more credible her testimony of Christ becomes in the ears of those who hear. “I am a worm,” is the proper level of our self-evaluation. Men of the world promote and exalt themselves. “I am the greatest” is the claim of a man who will soon be stricken, for God will not share His glory with another (Is 42:8; 48:11).
Our Christian privilege is to exalt Christ Jesus with our lips. Happy sheep, in close vicinity to the One who calls them by name, can be heard with confident “bah-hahhs.” Paul claimed to have learned to be content with his circumstances (Phil 4:11), because he learned God’s good providence was always working everything for good for him (Rom 8:28). To review Paul’s ministry resume in light of what he had learned is actually quite stunning (2 Cor 11:22–33). Paul’s life was one of immense suffering, but how sweet is His testimony of God’s grace. He knew. He believed. He pressed on.
Paul stayed close to Christ through prayer, which is something visible in Jesus’ own ministry. Prayer is an act of faith, worship, and a clear statement of dependence. Self-reliant men do not pray, but true believers pray without ceasing. Weak men pray because the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Sam 17:47).
Sheep are plagued by many and diverse predators, and they have no hope apart from Him who calls them by His grace. Christ leads His people, and His plans are good, giving them a more assured future (Jer 29:11). Therefore, Paul can charge the Philippians, “Do not be anxious for anything, but everything in prayer and supplication (Phil 4:6),” and making our requests known to God, asking, we receive God’s gracious reply in the wisdom and timing of His providence.
Faith stretches with patience, in waiting for God’s gracious reply to prayers in the Spirit, and in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Christians do not pray the rosary; but rather, we pray the Bible. The Word of God, empowering us through reading and preaching, is the same Word on our lips as we pray. Word power flows in both directions, and we are strengthened, regardless. It is our light on dark days. It is God’s love letter when we are lost and alone. It is our confidence in the day of distress. When we are lost, the Good Shepherd whispers, “Fear not, I am with you.”
The branch defies gravity, but the observer understands its achievements at such great heights. Attachment to Christ defies the threat of falling from grace. Christ constrains us with His love (2 Cor 5:14). Periodically, we are pruned back in the Vinedresser’s discipline, but always in order to bring forth more fruit.
The sheep simply will not follow the stranger (Jn 10:5), for love has won them, and they are not ashamed of their dependence on what is Gospel revelation. The bride trusts her husband, like the church trusts Christ. Although they are viewed as “fools for Christ,” Christians know whom they have believed, and they are convinced He is able to keep them.
Mixed imagery in the Bible strikes a balance for dependent Christian life. We are weak sheep, but like Paul, we pray for boldness in preaching. Christians are to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves (Mt 10:16). If we boast, we do not boast in ourselves, but we boast in the Lord (1 Cor 1:31). If we are ambitious, then our ambition is to please Him (2 Cor 5:9).
Sheep do not accomplish much; but a well-fed, well-protected sheep is a living, walking testimony of glory to the Shepherd of the sheep. We cast out cares on Him, for He cares for us (1 Pet 5:7). He is glorified when we are content with Him. This is abhorrent to men of the world, who pursue vain glory for themselves. Endless schemes, endless works, end in hell. Who is the fool?
Jesus Christ was actively obedient in His life, and He was passively obedient in dying on the Cross. Christians actively obey God in the Spirit, but our passive obedience is dying to self. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and mortifying sin in our flesh is His labor of sanctification by the Spirit and the Word. We must marvel, as witnesses, to His killing sin in us. He makes us willing through ordained affections at a higher level. We learn to prefer the things of heaven to the base things of the flesh and the world. He has begun this good work in us, and He will bring it to perfect completion.
Christ in us is at work. He is willing and doing God’s good pleasure to ensure abundant life for us. This is not the cheap substitute of the prosperity charlatans. It is the unfathomable riches of Christ, which include all the spiritual blessings prepared, secured, and bestowed by Him upon us in the beloved. Let us consider a few examples.
Abraham believed God, and God directed His steps to the Promised Land. Moses delivered Israel through endless obstacles, and it was given to Joshua to conquer with the trumpet rather than the sword at Jericho. David lived in caves, while anointed as king, waiting on God to position him. Elijah waffled between mighty works and faithless sojourns; but God ensured His glorious return home to glory. Jonah revealed much in disobedience and obedience, but God brought Him to His purposeful work and ensured His own glory through the weakness of the prophet. John the Baptist was positioned in the place of weakness, so he could fulfill his profession as the voice crying in the wilderness. He was no match for the foolish, ruthless tetrarch; but no one else received an accolade from Jesus like, “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John (Lk 7:28a).”
In summary, we have considered the Christian positioned in Christ. We have seen the antithesis of worldly self-exaltation. Christianity is a life of weakness and dependence. This is one reason Christianity is so unappealing to men of the world. Humble dependence is wretched to every philosophy of man. It is a remarkable act of God to make a proud man humble. The man suffers immensely, like a sheep at the hands of its shearer. Stripped of its top-heavy vanity, the freed sheep bounces like a lamb in the presence of her trusted shepherd. “He took away most of my identifiable existence, and now all I have is Him. He will accomplish what concerns me,” are her contented sentiments. Christians follow this obscure path, traveled by faithful fathers, who have shunned self-appreciation.
In conclusion, we must daily examine ourselves and our dependence upon Christ. Is our life gained from His life pouring into us? Have we ceased striving? Are we praying and waiting on the Lord for all things? Are we giving thanks to Him in everything? Do we eat our daily bread with one eye on where His glorious presence is found and felt? Do we stand firm at the temptation of vain pursuits?
Does your life consist of things, or is it detected by peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). In famine of provision, do you pray? In fear for yourself and your family, do you pray? Is your prayer turned to praise when the hand of grace has been discerned? He touched me! He delivered me! He loves me!
This is life in Christ. It is you being weak, and Him being strong. It is you in dependent trust for rivers of grace, to flow in time of need. Is this your experience? Is this your life? The fruit of your lips will tell of the occupation of your heart. The Christian says with gladness and rejoicing, “apart from Him, I can do nothing.” Therefore, “I will wait upon the Lord, from whom my Help comes to me.”
David E. Norczyk
Eugene, Oregon
January 8, 2021
