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John
1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2 Peter 1:4 Wereby are given unto
us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust.
Paul's eyes were ever fastened on the unseen and
eternal. Realizing that he was fighting against supernatural powers, he
placed this dependence on God, and in this lay his strength. It is by
seeing Him who is invisible that strength and vigor of soul are gained
and the power of earth over mind and character is broken." (Acts
of the Apostles 363)
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession
of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for
himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into
human nature. (Desire of Ages 324)
"By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples," said Jesus, "if
ye have love one to another." When men are bound together, not by force
or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence
that is above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it is
evidence that the image of God is being restored in humanity, that a new
principle of life has been implanted. It shows that there is power in
the divine nature to withstand the supernatural agencies of evil, and
that the grace of God subdues the selfishness inherent in the natural
heart. (Desire of Ages 678)
The reason so many fail to be successful laborers is that they act as
though God depended on them, and they are to suggest to God what He
chooses to do with them, in the place of their depending on God. They
lay aside the supernatural power and fail to do the supernatural work.
They are all the time depending on their own and their brethren's human
powers. (Faith and Works 27)
Without the grace of Christ, the sinner is in a hopeless condition;
nothing can be done for him; but through divine grace, supernatural
power is imparted to the man and works in mind and heart and character.
(Faith and Works 100)
Our condition through sin is unnatural, and the power that restores us
must be supernatural, else it has no value. There is but one power that
can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power
of God on Jesus Christ. (Amazing Grace
104)
Christ promised that the Holy Spirit should abide with those who wrestle
for victory over sin, to demonstrate the power of divine might by
endowing the human agent with supernatural strength and instructing the
ignorant in the mysteries of the kingdom of God. . . . (Amazing
Grace 212)
Through His merits and imparted power they will be "more than
conquerors." Supernatural help will be given them, enabling them in
their weakness to do the deeds of omnipotence. . . . (In
Heavenly Places 252)
I am bidden to call upon the churches to awake out of sleep. We must
contend with invisible, supernatural foes. (Reflecting
Christ 201)
By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given.
Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders
will follow the believers. (Colporteur Ministry
151)
When the Saviour said, "Go, . . . teach all nations," He said also,
"These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast
out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." The promise
is as far-reaching as the commission. Not that all the gifts are
imparted to each believer. The Spirit divides "to every man severally as
He will." 1 Cor. 12:11. But the gifts of the Spirit are promised to
every believer according to his need for the Lord's work. The promise is
just as strong and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles.
"These signs shall follow them that believe." This is the privilege of
God's children, and faith should lay hold on all that it is possible to
have as an endorsement of faith. (Desire of
Ages 823)
You may say, "Why not, then, take hold of the work, and heal the sick as
Christ did?" I answer, You are not ready.
There must be a reformation
throughout our ranks; the people must reach a higher standard before we
can expect the power of God to be manifested in a marked manner for the
healing of the sick. . . . (Medical Ministry
15)
Christ's love in the heart, revealing through the life its wondrous
power--this is the greatest miracle that can be performed before a
fallen, quarreling world. Let us try to work this miracle, not in our
own power, but in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose we are and
whom we serve. Let us put on Christ, and the miracle-working power of
His grace will be so plainly revealed in the transformation of character
that the world will be convinced that God has sent His Son into the
world to make men as angels in character and life. (The
Upward Look 233) |
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