"Believe in yourself" is a common phrase that's communicated by the movies, posters and billboards all around us. It motivates us to push ourselves harder because we "can do it if we put our heart into it." While this helped some find success, the truth is that believing in ourselves can only get us so far.

Honestly, believing in ourselves alone won't cut it. This is because apart from God, we're nothing (see John 15:5).

Apart from God

Sure, there are many out there who have achieved great things even without trusting in God. History tells us that some pagan nations grew big and had great economies. Some people, who were unbelievers, also achieved great things. But honestly, all of man's knowledge and capacity can only do so much.

Consider the richest nations in the world: Where do they get their gold and silver? From what God has created. Consider the greatest advances of science and the greatest inventions of man: Who could equal what God has made? Consider the greatest minds of today: Who could think the way God does? No one.

Apparently, brothers and sisters, no matter how much we believe in our capacities, even if they're God-given indeed, if we rely only on ourselves and not in the kindness and mercy of our God, we're nothing. We shouldn't put our confidence in our flesh (see Philippians 3:3).

The greatest achievement

More than just any great feat or invention, no one can ever achieve what Jesus Christ alone could only achieve for us: our salvation. No man could ever purchase his freedom from sin, death and eternal damnation. No man, regardless of skill, capacity, religious affinity or personal character, could ever attain for himself what only Christ is able to attain for us:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Yes, my friends, only Christ is able to save us. The truth of the matter is this: No matter how much we try to achieve great things, no matter how much we try to be great, all of our efforts will fail in regard to our salvation.

And if God, who graciously provided for us the greatest gift – eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ -- is able to do that, we can be sure that if we trust Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (see Philippians 4:13).