My Best Isn’t Good Enough

by Victoria Gaines
Published August 21, 2008

Peruse the world of Christian blogs and you'll find profiles that read something like this: "Just doing my best to live for Christ."

Sounds good. In fact, I used to think, say, and believe that was my purpose, too. . . to do my very best for Him. This concept reminds me of the mis-title of Oswald Chamber's highly praised book, My Utmost for His Highest.

But my utmost isn't good enough. I need HIS utmost renewed in me daily as I continue to confess my need and dependence on Him. The bible never tells us to do anything without also pointing us to the One who stands ready to enable us as we trust His Spirit at work in us.

The Christian life is not about doing our best. Our efforts keep us in bondage. Not until we give surrender these efforts and admit our helplessness to live the Christian life on our own, will we discover the power of His Life working in us and through us.

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." ~ Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV)

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