Things We Cannot Do Without
By Pastor Mark Taylor
I have heard many people talk about things they cannot do without, especially those people under the age of 30. I have heard them say that they could not do without Air Conditioning, TV, Cell Phones, coffee and coke products, and many other things. Most of us did without these things for years before they came into our lives. As Christians, there are some things we cannot do without, and Christians before us could not have survived without these things.
First of all we cannot do without the power and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Spiritual work is accomplished by Him and through Him. The forgiveness of sin is because of His death and not our works: “ ..and without shedding of blood is no remission of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
You and I cannot live the Christian life without Love. “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Love includes many things: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
You and I cannot live the Christian life without Holiness and Chastisement:
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). If we are truly one of God’s children, and we purposely sin, we will be punished: “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every person whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with children; for what child is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not His children” (Hebrews 12:6-8).
You and I cannot live the Christian Life without Faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”
(Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the oil that keeps the engine running smoothly. The opposite of faith is fear. Fear is like sand in an engine that eventually causes it to quit running.
You and I cannot live the Christian Life without Works. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).
Jesus said: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). It is true that we are not saved or accepted by God because of our works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But Jesus said: "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:17-20). We are not to judge others, but this verse would be something we could measure our spiritual condition by.
Today, I hope you will evaluate your lives and see if you have these necessary elements of the Christian Life: Jesus as your Savior, Love, Holiness, Chastisement when your living wrong, faith, and good works.
If you are missing any of these, ask the Lord to forgive you and restore unto you the “joy of your salvation”. You have much to gain in this life and the New Heaven and the New Earth to come: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea….And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My child. (Revelation 21:1, 7-8 )
