The underlying reason for our repeated failure is the belief that “if I try hard enough, I won’t fail.” The problem is that we are looking to ourselves to live the Christian life. You see, deep down we have an inner drive to make life work on our own. Our flesh doesn’t want to be dependent on anything or anyone else.

Are you trying to live the Christian life? Stop. It is futile to try to improve your flesh—it can never be good enough (see Romans 7:18). You need another life to live by—you need the Son of God living His life through you. He can live the Christian life; you can’t!