Wonderful promises have been given to us in the Bible. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans 8:37
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
There is mighty power and help provided for us by God. Why then are there weak Christians? Why do they fail and fall into temptation? Why does not everyone put away sin, and cry to the people, “Jesus is coming, get ready.” Something has happened to the power in many Christians. Somehow the connection to the source of power is broken, and weakness and failure are the result.
To delay obedience is to sin. Paul gave Bible studies to Felix and afterwards he said to Paul, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24:25
There was a man who had Bible studies, and he decided to start keeping the Sabbath. But, he decided to go to work one more Sabbath, and after that, no more. But that was a mistake; that Sabbath at work he had an accident and he died.
If we have one Achan among us, we all lose the power of God. This happened in Ancient Israel. “And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I have commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Joshua 7:10–12
One man, Achan, had sinned, and because of Him, God said, I am not with you anymore. Everyone lost the power of God. We must keep the church pure so that all members will not lose the power of God.
It was 1914 when the Seventh-day Adventists lost the power of God. They had among them those who joined the army and worked on the Sabbath. The faithful members were disfellowshipped. The church continues this practice of joining the army still today.
Peter lost the power of God from fear. He was afraid that he would have to suffer the same punishment as Jesus had to suffer; and therefore, he denied that he knew Jesus.
Without the power of God our religion is in vain; it will not save us. Paul writes, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5
They have knowledge but no obedience. What good is an electric lamp or electric motor without a connection to the current of power? Many times there are blackouts and electricity disruptions that cause darkness and power failures. So also a Christian, alone, without the source of power, which is God, cannot fulfil his Christian duties.
During the forty years of wilderness journey the people of Israel suffered power failures. Therefore they were murmuring and complaining. We are surprised at their weakness, but we know that history keeps on repeating itself. Still today we repeat their experiences.
While in Egypt, daily they had been crying to God and reminding themselves of the promise that the Lord had made to Jacob, that He would bring them out of Egypt into their own country.
Then, finally came the day when God, by His mighty hand, set the captives free. Cheerfully, singing songs of joy, with a light step they started their journey. Life in Egypt was only a bad dream now. Their minds were in their homeland, a country that flowed with milk and honey. Now, just after six weeks on their way they were no longer happy.
“And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:2–3
They were complaining about the leading of God, and at Moses and Aaron. A little later they murmured again. “And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children, and our cattle with thirst?” Exodus 17:3
If they had been faithful and obedient to God, they would have been in their homeland in a few days, but because of their murmuring and unfaithfulness, God could not bring them into their homeland yet. God gave them His law, and they promised, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” But a few days later when Moses came down from the mountain, they were worshipping an idol, a golden calf. This continued and God had to delay their entering into their homeland for forty years.
Why? Why? It was nothing else but a power failure. From over 600,000 men, only two of them could enter into Canaan’s land, Joshua and Caleb.
“The reason why our people have not more power is that they profess the truth, but do not practice it. They have but little faith and trust in God. There are but few who bear the burdens connected with His work. The Lord claims the strength of brain, bone, and muscle; but it is too often withheld from Him and given to the world. The service of God is made a secondary matter, while worldly interests receive prompt attention. Thus things of minor consequence are made important, while the requirements of God, things spiritual and eternal, are treated in an indifferent manner.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 613
Sin neutralizes the power of the gospel. Neglected prayer, Bible study, missionary work, health reform, all will make us weak, unable to resist Satan’s temptations. Even the little sin is dangerous. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10
If you know that something is wrong, or a sin, but consider so small (like eating a forbidden fruit), that you do it willfully, reasoning to yourself that it does not really matter, you will then lose divine power and be left to try to manage in your human strength.
“The strongest temptation cannot excuse sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to do evil. Satan attacks us at our weak points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the assault, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 421
The blood of Jesus gives us power to overcome every sin; it is a symbol of the greatest love. When Paul took a look at it, he fell in love with Jesus, and sacrificed everything for Him. He became an apostle to the Gentiles, to preach Christ crucified. His blood was the redemption price for him, and also for us, for you and me. Will you
accept His sacrifice, His blood? It is your passport to heaven. It does not matter how great your sins are; there is power in the blood of Jesus to wash you clean, to make you perfect. Our victory depends on the power of God, and He will not give us only half the power we need, but the full power to do all that is needed.
Without this power of God, we are only formal Christians; we are easily offended, impatient, and selfish. All this is human weakness. There is also another danger, which is to overestimate ourselves, thinking that we are better than others.
“Those who think themselves strongest will prove to be the weakest, unless they make Christ their efficiency.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 414
“Man cannot show greater weakness than by allowing men to ascribe to him the honour for gifts that are heaven-bestowed.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 68
To feel good and have need of nothing is pride and weakness.
Paul said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
Jesus Christ is the only hope that we have to receive power to overcome all sin, and to be sons and daughters of God. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12
God’s people do not go from strength to weakness, but “they go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” Psalm 84:7
We have the prophecy about the church of God in the last days, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Revelation 18:1
This angel is recognized by his power. This angel is made of people like Joshua and Caleb, who knew not the power of failure.
Brothers and sisters, there is no excuse to be weak; no, there is no reason to fail. The power that is greater than all the evil forces is available to us. This angel “cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.” Revelation 18:2. Are you or am I this angel?
To be this angel we need revival and reformation in our personal lives. Many of the pioneers of our Reform Movement gave their lives for their faith. They became martyrs for the truth they loved. They had the power of God, they remained faithful unto the end. Our work cannot be finished through human strength; our God knows this, therefore He is willing to send a host of angels from heaven to help us when necessary.
The blood of Jesus is still available to cleanse us from all human weakness, and wash us clean. Then we will be whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow. Jesus is offering His blood to cleanse us completely. Then we can sing: “The cleansing stream I see, I see, I plunge and O, it cleanseth me. O praise the Lord! It cleanseth me, It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me.”
Then we all will be like Joshua and Caleb, ready to go into our Promised Land. May the Lord bless us all, and give us His mighty power, then all things will be possible to us. Amen.
Timo Martin