Life Does not Reward Intentions or Results, But Dependence -- on the Right Person

Dr. Philip McGraw has transformed self-help media.

One of his most frequently quoted mantras is "Life Rewards Results, Not Intentions."

Before God, no man is justified for what he attempts or what he achieves:

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)

and

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)

For the believer, Life is not something that we work for, not something that we must strive to find, but rather a Person whom we believe on and receive by faith:

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)

After His resurrection and death, we have become One with Him:

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

"For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6: 3-7)

Man in his own efforts, in his flesh, produces corruption and death. As He walks in the Spirit, receiving grace and the gift of righteousness from God, man can reign in life!

For the believer in Christ Jesus, life is not about trying or achieving, but depending and receiving:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)

We abide in Him, as He has become our life, Jesus Christ, the Firstborn from the dead. He lives in us and works through us, and because of Him, we can do all things!