Worldly Good vs. Good in Christ

If we are not powered by the Holy Spirit, can we actually be good? Are there degrees of goodness?

Think of a flashlight radio with faulty wiring. Even if you put the best brand of batteries in it, it won’t work reliably. If we turn to wickedness, we run the risk of using no-name brand batteries, and it ceases to work altogether. Plus, there is the frequency of power—if we use the wrong batteries, it short-circuits and the radio becomes irreparable.

Because we are not the Creator, we have no idea how to build or repair this complex machine. We won’t find the true solution in secular self-help books. Trying to fix our own soul with self-help is the equivalent of using home repair skills and mix-and-match parts: it might hold things together for a moment, but it ultimately leaves us broken and dysfunctional.

This is why we must bring our broken vessel to Jesus.

When we surrender to Him, Jesus gives us the ultimate “name brand” batteries—His name, which far surpasses all earthly brands. His batteries are the Holy Spirit, and the power source is limitless. He doesn’t just hand us a new set of batteries; He opens the casing, fixes our faulty wiring, cleans out the dirt and debris that have been affecting the machine, and tunes our frequency.

Because of His work: the light never goes out—in fact, it shines brighter than ever; the sound from the speakers is as crisp as it was originally meant to be; it is a profound, divine refining process.

The best part of this restoration is that it costs absolutely nothing. Imagine walking into a repair shop with a ruined, short-circuited life, and the Owner looks at you and says, “This one’s on Me. You will never have to go to another shop again.”

He tells you: “If you drop it or a wire comes loose, don’t worry—just call Me, and I’ll fix it. All you have to do is keep shining your light and playing the sound joyfully. And when someone asks you about it, or if you see someone else in need of repair, just give them My number, and I’ll do the rest.”

The Power Source: Are you trying to run your life on worldly “goodness” (no-name batteries) or the limitless power of the Holy Spirit?

The Repairman: Stop trying to fix your own faulty wiring with self-help methods. Are you willing to hand the tool over to the Master Designer today?

The Broadcast: Is your light shining and is your “sound” crisp, or are static and interference clouding your witness?