From “Discipleship and Discipline” by William H. Hicks, copyright March, 2005:

“In the same manner as James reasoned in James 2: 10, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all…”, so the fruit of the Spirit must be taken as a whole, “For we know that the Law is spiritual”; (Romans 7: 14a)”, being more than the sum of its parts.  This is not written to discourage; rather, it is extremely encouraging to know that in our effort, God Himself is there with us.  “Some plant and some water; but only God provides the increase.”  I Corinthians 3: 6

Many disciples often wrestle with the sovereignty of God as juxtaposed with their responsibilities as disciples.  “If God is sovereign, and He has foreknown and predestined all things, what then are my responsibilities if not less than nothing (Romans 8: 29-30)?  Can I, by fulfilling my responsibilities, change anything that God, in His sovereignty has preordained?  Why even try?”  The root of these questions is an unbelief in the sovereignty of God, a desire for self-actualization. The answer to this is that man’s responsibilities and opportunities in this life are defined by God’s Word.  Jesus said that He had come “not to abolish (change) the Law, but to fulfill.”  Micah clearly states, “He has told you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?””