Tried and True

G. K. Chesterton was wrote, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." The general essence of his statement is that Christianity at its core is humanly impossible. People cannot walk according to the Word of God in their own strength, so they conclude that no one can do it.

The Scriptures are clear that the Christian walk is a supernatural one. It is clear from John 3 that the new birth is a work of the Spirit in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit is the one who quickens the heart through the work of regeneration. It is he who plants the seed of faith. We don't become believers by praying a prayer. We become the children of God when we trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

In order for us to trust Jesus, our hearts have to be changed. The Holy Spirit works that change in us. It is to paraphrase Paul, God who works in us to will and to do his good will (see Phil. 2:13). Thus, many people "try" Christianity only to find that they don't have what it takes to walk the walk. They become disillusioned and abandon the faith.

For this reason, the apostles urge us to search our hearts to see if we have evidence of the work of the Spirit (see Rom. 8:16; 1 Cor. 2:4-12; 2 Cor. 1:22; Jam. 1:26; 2 Pet. 1:10). When asked who can be saved, Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

The trick is not to try harder, but to yield to the only one who has the power to change you. Christ is our only hope for living the Christian ideal. Yes, it is difficult. In truth, it is impossible apart from Christ. But when we trust him, he gives us the strength we need.