APART FROM HIM; YOU CAN'T DO IT!!

                             

DEPENDENT

“But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED for those who love Him…” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).

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A DEPENDENT is someone who RELIES upon another for some kind of support assistance, or supply. The support, assistance, or supplies for the dependent is absolutely NECESSARY.

  A dependent can’t rely upon their own strength to meet many of their own needs.

A dependent usually cannot sustain themselves alone. 

A dependent has to rely on the willful and voluntary assistant of someone else’s benevolence.

A dependent, therefore, is NOT self-sustaining and is at the mercy of caregivers, family, friends, strangers, or companions for their support or supply.

Normally, a dependent is a child, parent, or spouse, but it can also be someone who is disabled, sick, jobless, elderly, weak, or helpless.

A dependent’s very existence and ability to survive is determined, contingent on, influenced, or controlled by someone or something else. 

A dependent is the total opposite of someone who is autonomous (independent).

Remember an autonomous person thinks of themselves as self-sufficient and not controlled by forces outside of themselves.

An autonomous person believes they do not need assistance, support, or anyone to help them supply “their” needs.

The autonomous person is convinced they have the free will and ability to make "whatever decisions, they want, about their life without outside interference or input.

An autonomous person relies upon themselves, but a dependent relies on something or someone else.

ALL TRUE BELIEVERS ARE DEPENDENTS. 

Depending on God through Jesus Christ is foundational for the Christian life. 

Christ informs believers, “…[They] can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [them] (supports them)…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

The believer DEPENDS upon God for everything. “….apart from [GOD], [they] can do nothing…” (John 15G5 NIV). “…The Son (the WORD) …sustaining ALL THINGS by his powerful WORD…” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). “…in him (Jesus, the WORD) ALL THINGS hold together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV).

Believers DEPEND upon God starting with salvation. “…BY GRACE (unmerited favor) have ye been saved through (by)… FAITH (by depending upon GOD); and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…So the promise is received by faith (by depending upon GOD)…” (Romans 4:16 NLT). “…we have obtained our introduction by faith (by depending upon GOD) into this grace (unmerited favor) in which we stand…” (Romans 5:2 NASB). “…the promise by faith in Jesus Christ (by depending upon Jesus Christ) might be given to those who believe (depend)…” (Galatians 3:22 NASB).

The believer depends upon God to cleanse his or her heart. “…cleansing their hearts by faith (by depending upon GOD)…” (Acts 15:9 NASB). “…"I" WILL GIVE you a NEW heart, and "I" will put a NEW SPIRIT in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his [Holy] Spirit as PROOF that [he [dwells]… in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “ … Renewal [comes] by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…” (Titus 3:4-6 NIV).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

The believer depends upon God for sanctification. “…who have been sanctified by faith (by dependence) in Me…” (Acts 26:18 NASB). “… the God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you ENTIRELY; and may your SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved COMPLETE…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB).

The believer depends upon God to live by faith. “…The righteous man shall live by faith (by dependence upon GOD)…” (Romans 1:7 NASB). “…we walk by faith (by depending upon God)…” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB). “..I live by faith (by depending) in the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20 NASB). ^“…I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth IN ME…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…For it is God who WORKS IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

The believer depends upon God for justification. “..a man is justified by faith (by depending upon GOD)…” (Romans 3:28 NASB). “…ye are JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus (the WORD), and by the [indwelling] SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).

The believer depends upon God for a right relationship with him. “…a right relationship with God that comes by faith (by dependence upon God)…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ (by depending upon JESUS Christ)…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).

 The believer depends upon God for righteousness. “…the righteousness which is by faith (by depending upon God)…” (Romans 9:30 NASB). “…I am the Lord who …brings …righteousness to the earth…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “….not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ (through dependence upon Christ), the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith (on the basis of dependence upon him)… ” (Philippians 3:9 NASB).

The believer depends upon God to keep his Word. “…He has granted to [you]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall [his]… word be that goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). We depend upon god to keep his promises! 

The believer depends upon God to meet their needs. “…My God will supply all [my need]… according to His riches in glory (the riches of his presence) in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…what is the riches of the glory(?)…; …CHRIST IN YOU (the presence of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Colossians 1:25-28 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in you (the indwelling HOLY Spirit "in" you)…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…if Christ be in you… (Romans 8:10 KJV).

The believer depends upon God for the awaited eternal life. “…we through the Spirit, by faith (by depending upon God), are waiting for the hope of righteousness…” (Galatians 5:5 NASB). “…And in the world to come that person will have eternal life…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). “…And being made perfect, he became author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV).

THE fruit of faith, produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowers the believer to depend upon God. “…[one of] ... the fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…God hath dealt to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). ^“…That great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP you with everything good [the fruit of faith,]… for doing his will, and may he work in us  (the empowering fruit of faith) what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] … grant[s]… you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might (the fruit of faith) by his [HOLY] Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “For it is God which worketh IN YOU both to will (be empowered by faith) and to do (live by faith) of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

The believer depends upon God by the fruit of faith. God won’t try to prove he is dependable and God is NOT to be tested. “…Don’t you dare test the Lord your God…” (Matthew 4:7 MSG). “…Do not put the Lord your God to the test…” (Matthew 4:7 NIV). “…You must not test the Lord your God…” (Matthew 4:7 NLT).

The believer CHOOSES to HEAR the Word of God and the WORD of God  builds the indwelling fruit of faith which empowers believers to depend upon God. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) OR “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…Jesus (the WORD) said… I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). choose to follow jesus Christ and depend upon him (the word).

“… He (Jesus) had a name written, that no man knew … his name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).

Jesus (the word of god) sets you free from sin. “..Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…if the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).

When Jesus (the WORD) frees you from sin, he OPENS the heart and FREES the human will to respond to the gospel.  “…One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord OPENED her heart to respond to Paul's message” (Act 16:14 NIV).

Therefore, “…God hath dealt to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…a right relationship with God that comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).

THE indwelling fruit of faith comes from (is strengthen by) hearing the gospel and the gospel is “…the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth (that depends upon God's WORD)…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).  “…[The] Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes (who depends upon the word)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

Jesus Christ is the “good news” and by listening to him (the Word) and learning from the word; the word will draw you to God. “…And I, if I (Jesus, the Word) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me….” (John 12:32 KJV).  

NO ONE can come to God unless the WORD draws them (John 6:44). Everyone “who HEARS” and “learns” about God, will come to him (John 6:45). "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John 6:45 KJV). “…No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” (John 6:44 KJV). “…no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father…” (John 6:65 KJV). “…God hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV).  “…He (Jesus) went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them…” (John 6:65 NIV). everyone who is saved "depends" upon God to draw them!!

Once God has drawn you through the “good news” of the gospel, you will come to him. “…Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John 6:45 KJV). because, “…faith (dependence upon God) cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…[The] Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who BELIEVES (depends)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT). “…Believe on the Lord Jesus (depend upon the Lord Jesus Christ), and thou shall be saved…” (Acts 16:31KJV). “…BY GRACE (unmerited favor) have ye been saved through… FAITH (through dependence upon God); and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

Faith COMES when it HEARS the WORD (Jesus) or the “good news.” Faith empowers you, when it HEARs the WORD, to experience the “…power of God unto salvation…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…a right relationship with God that comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

The dry bones in Ezekiel chapter 37 was empowered to live again when they HEARD the WORD “…He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘dry bones, hear the word of the lord! ….So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then …breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). “…Faith cometh (faith Is strengthened) by hearing …by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

THE fruit of faith is given by God as a gift.  “…it is the gift of God; …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). You cannot earn a gift and usually a gift is unexpected or it wouldn’t be a gift.

The bible clearly emphasizes the Spirit of faith as a “gift of God’ and eliminates any misunderstanding that the glory and credit for salvation goes to any BUT God. “…it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

No “man should glory” or boast that they did ANYTHING to obtain salvation. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

Because of the finished work of Christ on the cross are you saved through faith. “…Even when we were dead in our transgressions, MADE US alive togetherwith Christ (by grace you have been saved), ….and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity…” (Ephesians 2:5, 16 NASB).

“…There ... [is] … …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

“…God hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…it is the gift of God; …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…[One of]… the fruit of the Spirit… is…FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

Apostle Paul provides an example of God-given faith and totally understood it was gifted to him by God via grace. “…Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace (unmerited favor) of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH (power to depend upon God) and love that are in Christ Jesus (the WORD)…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV).

Salvation and every action done BY FAITH (by dependence upon God) is EMPOWERED by the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives …[FAITH]…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“….For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:6 NIV).  “…For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).

“…God hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV).  “…[one of] ...the fruit of the [indwelling holy] Spirit… is…FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). Hebrews 11 demonstrates how God-given faith empowers actions:

BY FAITH we are empowered to understand …

BY FAITH …Abel was empowered to bring …

BY FAITH …Enoch was empowered to be taken up…

BY FAITH …Noah was empowered to BUILd …

BY HIS FAITH Noah was empowered to CONDEMN. …

BY FAITH …Abraham was empowered to obey …

           he was also empowered to live there BY FAITH—

BY FAITH …SARAH WAS empowered TO HAVE A CHILD…

BY FAITH …THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL was empowered to go THROUGH THE RED SEA

BY FAITH …the people of Israel was empowered to MARCH AROUND JERICHO FOR SEVEN DAYS

BY FAITH these people [were empowered by the holy spirit and] ...overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

“…I will show you MY (empowered) FAITH by my deeds (conduct, actions, mannerisms, transformation, etc;)...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).

God gave every believer THE measure of faith. “…God hath dealt to every man THE measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). One of “…[one of] ...the fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

God gave every believer instructions on how to activate their “measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…FAITH COMETH (is built up or strengthened) BY HEARING, and hearing by the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). 

After “hearing” the WORD, the believer is empowered to DEPEND upon God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which produces faith. “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives …[FAITH] ….” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT …gives all these gifts and POWERS… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

THE indwelling fruit of FAITH begins to work “IN” them, “THROUGH” them, and “FOR” them. “…it is God which WORKETH in [them]… both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). One of “…the fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

^“ … That great Shepherd of the sheep, …may he WORK IN US what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…[May he].. strengthened [you]…with might by his Spirit in the INNER MAN…”(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). You “…can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [you]….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…It was BY FAITH that Noah (was empowered to]... BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before….” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

THE gift of faith worked “IN” Noah by empowering him to do something. Noah BUILT. 

THE gift of faith worked “THROUGH” Noah to do something that revealed the work of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. Noah built A BOAT. 

THE gift of faith worked “FOR” Noah by empowering him to do something that revealed the work of the HOLY SPIRIT and blessed NOAH to give glory to GOD. NOAH'S whole family was saved from the flood.

When gift of faith works “IN” you it will motivated you to do something. Noah built. 

When the gift of faith works “THROUGH” the work of the indwelling HOLY Spirit it is witnessed by your deeds. Noah built a boat. People SAW the boat. 

When the gift of faith works “FOR” you; it blesses you. Noah’s whole family was saved from the flood and God was gloried.

“…I will show you MY FAITH (my dependence upon God) by my deeds (conduct, actions, mannerisms, etc;)...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).

Every Believer is a dependent upon Jesus to walk out the Christian life and do great things for God’s glory. “….apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

THE gift of faith was given to you in order to empower you to depend upon God and expect him to do what he promises he will do according to his WORD.

Everything....everything you need to walk and live an abundant life God supplies. You choose to depend upon him to supply those needs. 

YOUR independent effort will profit you nothing. 

THE indwelling HOLY Spirit produces faith. The faith produced by the hyoly Spirit empowers you to depend upon God. Depending upon God will fill you with overflowing hope or expectancy in God to do exactly what he promises he will do. 

If you are a believer or true follower of Jesus Christ; you are a dependent. YOU depend upon God for "everything!!" because "you know" apart from him "you can do nothing!!"