POTENT OR OMNIPOTENT

There is no more common principle among men of all religions than that of believing that GOD is powerful. This idea forms the very basis of all of man’s religious belief. Even those who fall down before pagan idols do so because of that idea. The Romans and the Greeks both had gods of great power. The ancient Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans believed so much in the power of their god(s) that they offered up human sacrifices to appease them. One can visit any “prayer circle” or “chain” of those who profess to be “Christians” in the present day and can find the same concept. Multitudes will testify of the power of prayer and how often GOD has delivered them from this or that calamity. In fact the scripture indicates that even the demons of hell are monotheists and believe that GOD is powerful and tremble at that very thought. (see James 2:19) Yet it is also a common principle among all of man’s religions, that man also has “power” which he is able to exhibit in what is generally known as his free will. It is in this “power” that men consider themselves in a position to either fulfill or thwart the will of GOD. The True and Living GOD who reveals HIMSELF to men in the person of JESUS CHRIST is not a “powerful GOD”, but rather HE is the GOD of ALL POWER. It is upon that point that the division between those who know the true GOD and those who don’t is seen. “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom 13:1)

Power, might, and dominion belong to HIM and no creature can have any power at all except that such be given to him. Such was the testimony of the LORD JESUS to Pilate who assumed he had the power to deliver up the LORD to HIS accusers or to set HIM free. Yet the LORD manifested the total inability of Pilate to act according to his own conscience. Pilate knew the LORD was innocent and that HE should set HIM free but he was “powerless” to set HIM free: to do what he knew was the right thing to do. It pleased the LORD to demonstrate Pilate’s weakness in order to fulfill HIS own purpose of having HIMSELF delivered up to the death of the cross according to HIS own determinate counsel.

The absolute and total ownership of all power in heaven, earth or hell by the LORD is demonstrated:

In HIS appointment of some of HIS creation to destruction. “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.” (Rom 9:20-22)

In HIS hiding of HIS truth from those not appointed to hear it. “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” (Luke 10:21-22)

In the revelation of HIMSELF as the REDEEMER of HIS elect. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Mat 1:21) “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isa 63:1)

In the revelation of HIS redemption of HIS elect. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb 9:12) What a stark contrast the truth of this verse is to that which is purported to be the gospel by the majority of “preachers” today. The predominant message that is heard from pulpits across this land denies the truth set forth in this verse. They are telling men that CHRIST only died to make salvation a possibility. That is a hellish lie and denies the very power of CHRIST who has OBTAINED redemption for HIS people completely apart from any action of their own. HE is the SAVIOR not the ONE who has attempted to save and is waiting to see who will be its recipients.

In the calling and manifestation of HIS elect in this world. “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Th 2:13-14) At the appointed time HE gives HIS people faith and they believe. (see Eph.2:8) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

That man who has been awakened by the SPIRIT of GOD and taught the depravity of his own heart, knows himself to be without any power to effect his own salvation. All of the formulas and prayers devised by men are as dung before him and he knows that except the LORD be pleased to visit HIM he will surely perish. He knows himself to be without power and that the LORD alone is the POSSESSOR of all power.

The man who thinks that he has power to believe, allow GOD into his heart, or elsewise present himself to the LORD is deluded and shall never be able to approach unto HIM who is the GOD of all Power. Yet the mercy of GOD is such that HE is pleased to teach men both their own weakness and HIS mighty strength as HE reveals the salvation that is in JESUS CHRIST. “None but JESUS, None but JESUS, can do helpless sinners good!” “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” (Isa 42:3) HE who bruises the reed also makes it grow again.

So we conclude that HE is not just a powerful GOD but that HE is the GOD of all POWERand gives it to whomsoever HE will. We stand amazed that HE should condescend to help such worthless creatures as we are or to manifest HIS mercy upon any of the sinful sons of Adam. Yet we read that “HE came to seek and to save that which was lost”. May HIS name be ever praised and HIS people cease not to praise HIM day and night for HIS grace.