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Are We Totally Dependent on God?
[Editor’s note: In anticipation of the Southside Lectures, we will be using articles written by our lecture speakers for the next several weeks.]
Let me begin by asking two questions. Are we totally dependent on God? Are we totally committed to God?
Politically, folks are generally broken down into three groups: Democrats, Republicans, and Independents (moderate, conservative, progressive). Many of us at one time or another declared ourselves to be Independents. We like to think of ourselves as being independent in our daily lives. I don’t need or want anyone’s help...I can do it myself. We look forward to growing up, leaving home and yes, being independent.
But as a Christian, you and me, all of us are totally dependent on God! Unfortunately, many Christians act as though we want to be independent.
“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps ” (Jeremiah 10:23). “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death ” (Proverbs 14:12). We cannot direct our own steps. It is impossible. It is not spiritually wise nor is it safe to do so. God’s word is not only the safest guide to heaven, it is the only guide to heaven.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8,9). What the prophet is saying is that since my thoughts and ways are not to be relied upon, I am totally dependent upon God’s thoughts and ways.
Solomon spoke of this total dependency upon God when he wrote: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).
We must not trust in the LORD with part of our heart, but with ALL of our heart. Total dependence on God implies we not only hear what God says, but we obey unequivocally all that He instructs in His inspired Word (Matt. 7:21, 24-27; 28:20; Col. 3:17; James 1:22-25).
Are you fully committed to God? We sing “all to Jesus I surrender”, but do we yield ourselves to Him completely? Would you give up all to follow Him?” (Luke 9:23-26; 14:25-27, 33).
The football stadium at Iowa State University is called Jack Trice Stadium. In the 1970’s the student body started a movement to have it named after Jack Trice, and though the university president and the boosters objected, the student body was eventually successful. But just who is Jack Trice?
John (Jack) Trice was the first black athlete to play at Iowa State and the first to die in competition. Jack played in exactly one game for Iowa State—hardly the kind of career that would generally get a stadium named after you. Being black, he was forced to stay at a separate hotel from the rest of the team. On the night before his first football game, October 5, 1923, Jack wrote in a letter on some hotel stationery, “Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will. My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break thru the opponents’ line and stop the play in their territory. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good.”
During the first half of the game he had so anticipated, Trice suffered a broken collarbone. Bravely, he continued to play into the third quarter until he was thrown on his back and trampled by three Minnesota players. He died three days later. Jack Trice had made the commitment to be an honor to his race and to his team. Even to the point of dying for the cause if necessary.
In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus tells us that the sons of this world are wiser than the children of light, because they have totally committed themselves to the world. Too often the children of light are doubleminded, unsure of their commitment. We are Christians! We are the children of light. We have freely chosen to follow Christ and to take up our cross daily. Are we fully committed to serving Christ? We must be on our toes every minute if we expect to make good.
