Jesus once said,

“For without Me you can do nothing!” John 15:5

Shouldn’t we consider Jesus’ words about such an important issue?

Jesus shows us here that we need a power that comes from outside of us for character change. Knowing that we have limitations, specially to change our own character – yesterday’s reading should remind us that,

“Man cannot transform himself by the exercise of his will. He possesses no power by which this change can be effected. The leaven — something wholly from without — must be put into the meal before the desired change can be wrought in it.” Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p.96.

DAILY TRANSFORMED BY THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT

“In order that we may have the righteousness of Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify the heart, to ennoble the whole person.” Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p.374.

The important advice from Jesus is completely the opposite of what is usually taught today. Whether in humanism or esotericism, human philosophy or some areas of pedagogy, the message is that the power for us to develop is within ourselves. It only has to be awakened by this or that method. “Self-realization” is often talked about. The apostle Paul said about himself, and it applies to us all,

“For I know that in me ... nothing good dwells” Romans 7:18

Under these conditions, what would be the result of self-realization? We can read about it in 2 Timothy 3:1,

“There will be terrible times in the last days” (NIV).

Egoism reigns in our days.

For us it doesn’t have to do with self-realization but rather with Christ-realization. Someone noticed it, saying, “I have found my self-realization in Christ.”

The Holy Spirit living in us produces the changes we all need.

HELP IS COMING

Of ourselves we have no power to change our character. It has to come from outside. That is why Jesus so clearly called our attention in Luke 11:9–13 to the fact that we should ask for the Holy Spirit — continually,

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to givegood gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13 NKJV

During Jesus’ time here on this earth, He was daily refilled with the Holy Spirit. For us it is even more essential.

God wants to daily give us through the Holy Spirit. He is wonderful and wants to hug us every morning, just like a married couple hugs every morning (or at least should!)

“All the culture and education which the world can give will fail of making a degraded child of sin a child of heaven. The renewing energy must come from God. The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit. All who would be saved, high or low, rich or poor, must submit to the working of this power.” Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp.96,97

Winston Churchill, prime minister in Great Britain during World War II, is supposed to have said, “We have gained control of everything with one exception: people.” People cannot be radically changed by human influence alone. For this to happen, a power from out of this world is necessary. It has to do with the power of God, which can only effectively work in us through the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word tells us that the inward man is being renewed day by day,

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION & DEVOTION

1. What was Jesus affirming when He said that “without Me you can do nothing!” ?

2. Why cannot self-realization complete the “job” of transforming our characters?

3. What is the help God wants to send? Why is it so important in our days?