Jesus came to live His life through His Father's power, not in His own strength. He was tempted in all points like we are. Jesus said of Himself, "I can of mine own self do nothing." John 5:30. If Jesus of His own self could do nothing how can we in our own strength do anything? Jesus was God and even He, as a man, had to depend totally on the Father for everything. We can obey. People who are helpless and incapable of producing obedience can become obedient. We must believe what the Bible says. We cannot go by our feelings. Even Ellen White said, "I felt that I needed to be saved ... to be invigorated spiritually." - Review and Herald, July 23, 1889. What a comfort that little sentence has been to me. If Ellen White, the prophet of God, felt that she was lost and needed to be saved, how can I trust my feelings? Just because you feel like you cannot become obedient that does not make it true. Stand on the Word of God. God says we can be obedient. He would not require a thing from us that is impossible to do. However, we are not the one that does it

Like Jesus, we can of ourselves do nothing. But, like Jesus, we can live an obedient life. We must depend on the same power that Jesus depended on, His Father's love, mercy, and power. Let me ask you something. Did Jesus, or will Jesus, ever sin? Of course not. He naturally recoils from sin. Now, if Jesus recoils from sin, and He lives in your heart and mind, what will you do by nature? Recoil from sin! Christ in you and me is the only hope of glory. Col 1:27. He longs to live in your heart, but He can only lead us as fast as we will let Him. If He does not live in our heart and if we refuse to let Him in, what can He do without forcing us to be robots? Our case is hopeless. But praise God, a simple, humble request for God's mercy, help and power will cause us to obey as assuredly as it caused Christ not to sin, and upheld Him through it all.

When you see phrases like, strive, work, choose, serve, obey, and do, in your Bible, do not become discouraged. We are to strive, work, choose, serve, obey, and do what the Bible tells us to do. But, it is the "doing" of relationship: Bible study (listen to Him talk), prayer (talk to Him), and meditation (think about Him), as in any good relationship. Not a "doing" of works, but of communication. Relationships are hard work. We have already learned, actions we cannot do. Jesus must do them for us, in us. Strive to know Jesus. Work hard to learn of Him. Choose to believe in Him. Serve Jesus by glorifying His name by your life. Obey that still, small voice that says, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Do all in your power to know Jesus Christ, Our Saviour. To know Our Saviour, who is in very essence eternal life, and have Him dwell in our hearts, is to have Him and all that He is and has, including eternal life and power to overcome sin. He is faithful who has promised!

This is the 1888 message, the three angel's messages, the everlasting gospel that was rejected, and that is still being rejected today. People think it is too good to be true. But, you have seen for yourself scripture upon scripture, quote upon quote that the everlasting gospel is true. The evidence is irrefutable. GOD DOES THE WORK. God cleanses the sanctuary. It has been hard for me to believe, but it is true.

Jesus said, while upon the earth, "Your righteousness must surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees," who were strict commandment keepers. They tried to work their way into heaven and we are still doing the same thing today. But, this is not, I repeat, this is not the plan of salvation. God's way is so much better, a better covenant with better promises. This message makes "straight paths for the Lord to come." Christ also said, "If you believe, and do not doubt, you can tell this mountain to go throw itself into the sea and it would obey you." Why do we not have power like this today? The answer is, because we do not believe.

Fight the fight of faith. Do not attempt to fight your sins. You have probably done this in the past, and, like me, have failed miserably. Our fight is to believe God. Our fight is against self. Our fight is with our doubts and passions that block God's work in us. This is where Adam and Eve fell. They believed Satan and did not believe God. We must be victorious where they failed. If all this sin was caused by unbelief, imagine what true faith can do to reverse it.

Jesus is calling, calling you to trust in Him for all your needs, both spiritual and physical. He has a plan to get you into heaven. You do not have to do some grievous thing. All Christ needs in order to get you into heaven is your trust. Be patient. I know it is hard. We think we have to do something. We think we always have to be doing something in order for God to love us. But, God is love. That is all He knows how to do.

God is not hate. He does not even hate Satan. He pities him. Satan broke the heart of God when he fell. We do the same today. We break God's heart, but He will never hate us, ever. He left heaven and the worship of heavenly beings to come save one lost sheep. Dear little, lost sheep, do not despair. He came here to save you. He is still pleading His blood, not to appease an angry God, but He is pleading to you, not for you. His blood is pleading, "Do not let my sacrifice for you be in vain. Trust me little sheep. I am the good shepherd. I will never leave you nor forsake you. No, never. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You trusted in God. Trust also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you dear, little, lost sheep. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself. I promise. I do not lie. Be patient little sheep. I want to marry you and take you to myself to live with me forever where I am. Will you marry me? Please, say, 'Yes.'" Galatians 2:21; Job 10:11; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:27; John 14:1-3; Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; Hosea 2:19.

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Copyright © 1999 -
by Debra A. Snipes
In His Service, NFP
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