Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God.  2 Corinthians 3:5

There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon oneself,” wrote English poet John Gay.  Was he right?

Many people ascribe to this philosophy:  it’s up to me to make life work; I can’t depend on anyone or anything, besides myself.

This is not the Jesus way.

Sometimes even those of us who follow Jesus catch ourselves jumping in front of Jesus, doing things in our own strength.  Brandon leads worship at his church.  He says “Jesus always shows up—the problem is that sometimes I show up more than He does!

Jesus, who was fully God, still depended on His Father to accomplish the work He was sent to do. He told his disciples, “My Father who lives in me does his work through me” and “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work” (John 14:11; John 4:34).

Of course, Jesus knew that we aren’t God. When the time was getting near for Him to return to heaven, He sensed that His disciples were troubled. He told them, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:16).  Peter, Jesus’ disciple, explained saying, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…this promise is to all” (Acts 3:38-39).  Acts 1:9 says that the Helper comes with power: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,” promises Acts 1:8. Remember the Spirit often, Jesus follower. Your competency, your adequacy, your sufficiency is in Him (2 Corinthians 3:5).