Page 7 - Of Course You Can Walk On Water - eBook

When these ideas really are driven home to us by the Holy Spirit we might, with the
disciples, exclaim, "'Who then can be saved?'" (Matt. 19:25).

And Jesus answered, "'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'"
(verse 26).

Some time ago I was discussing the ideas of 1 Corinthians 13 with a friend who does not
profess to be a Christian. I pointed out that the primary thrust is on the inner life. Love
does not become impatient. It knows no jealousy. It never loses its temper, and so on.

Emphatically my friend declared, "That's impossible. You can't change your feelings.
They are you. They are as much a part of you as are the color of your eyes."

I couldn't agree with him, even from the strictly human viewpoint. Stoicism's goal was

the elimination of all feelings. Hinduism's aim is loss of all desire, all personality, in
Nirvana.

The sad aspect is that, while the devoted Hindu believes implicitly in the potential of his
religion or philosophy-which springs from human concepts-to help him control all
passion, many Christians have the greatest difficulty believing that their religion-which is
centered in the omnipotent God-can give them complete victory over all wrong feelings
and attitudes.

Truly to become a Christian is to appeal to Christ, "'Lord, ... bid me come to you on the
water'" (Matt. 14:28).

"Lord, I want to overcome the sin in my life. I want to be rid of jealousy, of resentment,
of anger, of uncontrolled appetite, of malice. I want freedom from guilt. Master, I have
tried walking on water on my own. I know I can't do it. I know that the only way I can is

with Your help. Lord, bid me come to You."

"Come!"

To fail to make such an appeal, while still trying to be a Christian, is to attempt the utterly

impossible. It is to endeavor to walk on water without Christ.

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