February 18 – The Power of Cooperation

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." – Philippians 2:13 (KJV)

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." – Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

With these words, Christ illustrates the work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart. The individual, by an act of faith, places himself in the hands of the Lord, allowing Him to fulfill His divine purpose. There must be a continuous exercise of faith to abide in Christ and remain in Him daily.

This is a process of learning, a constant discipline of mind and heart, so that Christ may accomplish His great work in the human soul. The old self, the natural self, must die, and the will of Christ becomes our will. His path becomes our path, and the believer, in heart, spirit, and intellect, is transformed into an instrument in the hands of God, no longer producing unrighteousness but manifesting the righteousness of Christ.

According to divine order, God does nothing without human cooperation. He never forces the will. It must be willingly surrendered to Him; otherwise, He cannot complete the work He desires to accomplish. Christ Himself testified that in a certain place, He could do no mighty works because of the people's unbelief. He was ready to bless them with exactly what they needed, but their lack of faith prevented Him from working in their lives. The potter cannot mold and shape the clay for honor if it is never placed in His hands.

The Christian life is one of daily surrender, submission, and continual victory—each day gaining new triumphs through faith. This is true growth in Christ, shaping life according to the divine pattern. True devotion, godliness, and sanctification of the whole being come only through Jesus Christ, our righteousness. The love of God must be cultivated continuously in the heart.

Oh, how the soul must long for the mind of Christ! Self must be entirely set aside so that Christ may be all in all. May the heart yield fully to Him today.