Spiritual Health Check: Dependence on Christ

What Is Dependence?

Our culture worships independence. We are told to be self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-made. But the Christian life is the opposite. We are called to dependence. Not weakness, but surrender. Not helplessness, but trust.

Jesus Himself lived in complete dependence upon the Father. "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught Me" (John 8:28-30). If the Son of God lived this way, how can we live any other way?

"You are controlled by what you believe."

Practice the Attitude of Jesus

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8). Dependence begins with an attitude. The attitude of a servant. The attitude of a child who trusts completely in the Father.

Spend Time Alone With Your Heavenly Father

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16). Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed (Mark 1:35). If Jesus needed this, how much more do we?

"No TV. Take a walk."

"Practice, practice, practice!"

Do Nothing on Your Own

Jesus said, "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One who sent Me is with Me. I always do what pleases Him" (John 14:10). This is the secret of dependence: doing nothing on your own, but only what the Father shows you.

"Do nothing on your own but in the power of the Holy Spirit for results that are eternal."

"Be guided to what the Father wants to say through you."

Speak in a Way That Gives Glory to God

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). Our words should flow from our dependence on God, giving glory to Him.

Are You Troubled?

"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name" (John 12:27).

"Are you troubled? Give it to the Lord and ask that He be glorified in it."

Yield Your Rights and Expectations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-4). Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-13).

"Yield your rights, your expectations, your timing, your wants, your desires, your control and your will to God your Father."

You Have a Helper

If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth (John 14:15-17).

"Does all this seem impossible? You have a Helper."

You Are One With Christ

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You (John 17:20-23). Dependence is not isolation. It is union. You are one with Christ.

Die to Self

Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me" (Mark 8:34).

"Empty yourself of self and ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit."