Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians that God’s grace is sufficient, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Despite human weaknesses, God’s grace accomplishes God’s purposes through them in a fallen and perverse world. It is a mind-boggling concept that the Holy, Just and Righteous Creator of the universe would use vile rebellious sinners to participate in His prefect work.
This reality should strengthen and encourage us in spite of life’s trials and challenges. God is near and He is at work (John 17, Roman 8:28). If it be suffering, persecution or even threat of death God is working these situations out for our good and ultimate glorification (Roman 8:28, Acts 14:22).
Throughout scripture we are told that God is present and is our continual help and refuge. At the same time the more one realizes his or her dependance on God (weaker, broken) the clearer God’s grace will shine through in that person’s life (1 Corinthians 2:3).
Jesus explains in John chapter 15 that whoever “abides” in Him and He in them, that person will bear much fruit, for apart from Him an individual can do nothing. (John 15:5)
First one must be “in” Jesus. Jesus must be their Lord and Savior.
Second, one must “abide” in Jesus, hence one must stay with Jesus and rely on Him as one only source of true strength (Ps. 46:1, Rom. 1:16), guidance (Ps. 119:105, 2 Peter 1:19) and protection (Matthew 10:28, Hebrew 13:6).
Third to sum this reality up Jesus explains in 15:5 that we can do “nothing”, that is absolutely not “one” thing, that could be considered praise worthy “good” apart from the blood of Christ (Roman 3:22).