CRUCIAL POWER
OF GOD
INTRODUCTION
Crucial power of God is a necessity in the hour in which we live with many being deceived by a spirit that is not of God. Apostle Paul, in speaking to Timothy, a young evangelist, foretold of such a time, in writing: Preach the word, be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (the truth), but after their own lusts (desires) they shall heap to themselves teachers (deceivers), having itching ears (allowance being made), and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Paul advised Timothy: Watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). It was noted that preaching is the God-ordained (power of God) to prevent defection from the truth. Teachers who appeal to itching ears tell people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear, falling into the category of being turned into fables, that which is of no eternal value.
Crucial Power of God
Prophecy
Sometime prior to his death, General Booth of the Salvation army, uttered this significant prophecy: I consider that the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be Religion without the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit); Christianity without Christ; Forgiveness without regeneration; Morality without God; and Heaven without Hell. We are witnessing a progressive social gospel being expounded on that caters to what is mentioned in this prophecy.
In a prophecy given during a Camp Meeting were these words: Look unto Me, and I will make you to perceive with the eyes of the Spirit the things that lurk in darkness that are not visible to the human eye. Let me lead you in this way that you may perceive the powers of darkness and battle against them.
The message of the crucial power of God came to me in an hour of need, with the words: There is a greater power within you than that which is without. Scripture reveals God’s sustaining power: The Lord shall preserve (keep) me from all evil; he shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore (Psalm 121:7-8).
Power Revealed
When Stephen was in the process of being stoned to death, Scripture reveals: He (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit), looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and then testified, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God; and they (those who sought to kill him), cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears (would not receive), and ran upon him with one accord (Acts 7:55-57). The crucial power of God prevailed at that instant, openly displayed, for Stephen’s benefit, towards encouragement to endure as Christ had on the Cross of Calvary.
In an another incident, the power of God was revealed in the midst of suffering of Apostle Paul and Silas. Scripture reveals: When they had laid many stripes upon them; they cast them into prison, thrusting them into the inner prison, and made (fastened) their feet fast in the stocks. At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors opened, and every one’s bands (chains) were loosed (Acts 16:24-26).
The crucial power of God displayed benefited the jailer, and his family, who were saved that night, as well as the other prisoners seeing the greatness of God on display. The amazing fact is that the prisoners, along with Paul and Silas chose to remain, after being freed; had they fled the jailer would have died for allowing his charges to escape. God’s ways are truly miraculous with the crucial power of God being displayed with the seemingly impossible becoming possible.
Empowerment of the
Believer
The Apostle Paul addressed a need for the crucial power of God, in writing: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (human standards), but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers (world-rulers) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings) in high places. Wherefore, take (up) the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13).
The crucial power of God requires the putting on the whole armor of God which consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of pace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God; praying always with prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:14-18).
Weapons of our
Warfare
Apostle Paul revealed: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of human standards), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (evil opposition); casting down imaginations (arguments), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10); is to be constantly strengthened by the Lord with His mighty power. Apostle Peter wrote: We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (His Second Coming) (1 Peter 1:5).
Our Original Endowment
Our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. It was noted that moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits. If truth is not diffused (promulgated), error will be; If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end (Daniel Webster).
The crucial power of God is needful to prevent defection. It was noted how such could come about: If the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded (Noah Webster).
Recognizing the Need
I thank God for those individuals, who realize the need of the crucial power of God, coming on the scene, and allowing such to be incorporated in their own lives, standing in opposition to that which is attempting to override the righteousness of a godly nation, towards domination by the unfruitful works of darkness.
There are many who have caved into the demands of the ungodly; that were formerly grounded on the Word of God, walked according to that Word, and blessed by God for having done so, through His umbrella of protection and provision, who now find themselves losing out to such provision, until allegiance to God, and His Word, is restored.
Provision for Restoration
The crucial power of God towards restoration was given to King Solomon for the nation of Israel towards a withdrawal from godly precepts: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humbly themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). It was noted that this scripture is given as a high expression of God’s loving readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people.
An equally important invitation, referring to the crucial power of God, towards salvation of the soul, was given by Jesus to a wayward people, in saying: I stand at the door (door of one’s heart), and knock; if any man hear my voice (towards repentance), and open the door (only you can), I will come into him (one’s very soul), and will sup (dine or fellowship) with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:21).
Salvation of Man
Apostle Peter wrote: God is long-suffering to us-ward (you and I), not willing that any should perish (lose out to heaven), but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:20). Apostle John: He that believes on the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life (a heavenly abode); and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (Hell bound) (John 3:36).
Apostle Paul: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The choice is up to every individual as to where one's final destiny will be; Heaven or Hell. I pray that if you have not already made that choice you will not wait in doing so, today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late.
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