My father pointed out to his congregation the fact that everything Jesus told his disciples to do was impossible for them. He told them to “heal the sick; cleanse the lepers; cast out demons” (Mt. 10:8); to “be perfect, just as your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (Mt. 5:48); to “judge righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24); and to forgive the one who sins against you “seventy times seven times” (Mt. 18:21–22). It is impossible also for a human to preach the gospel without heavenly help, for the gospel is preached only with the Spirit that God sends from heaven (1Pet. 1:12). Even to live a holy life is impossible for man. Only with the strength of the Spirit of God can anyone do that. When Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phip. 4:13), living a holy life was included in that declaration.
Only someone who has become “a new creature in Christ” can live the impossible life that Jesus commanded his followers to live. And the only way to get into Christ is the baptism of the Spirit (Rom. 6:3; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). Come into the body of Christ while the door is still open and begin living the wonderful, impossible life!
