Obedience by Faith POWER FROM ABOVE
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:23.
One of the most beautiful truths in the whole theme of salvation by faith is that Jesus came not only to die for us but to show us how to live, through dependence on the power that is above us, not the power that is within us. Jesus said in John 5:19 and 30, "I can do nothing of Myself."
It is almost a comedy that, while Jesus, who had power within Him that He could have used, constantly depended upon the power above Him and never used the power He had within, we, who have no power within to produce anything in terms of obedience or righteousness, constantly try to depend upon the power that we don't have! Jesus, who was God, lived as a man, through dependence upon God. And we who are men try to live as God. It simply can't be done. This is one of the most conclusive reasons why obedience can come only by faith.
Jesus not only proved that the law of God could be kept but He makes provision for each one of us to keep it if we will depend on God as He did. Jesus had no advantage over us (The Desire of Ages, p. 119). Not even by a thought did Jesus yield to temptation. So it may be with us (ibid., p. 123). We can obey as Jesus did (ibid., p. 309). We can overcome as Jesus did (Thoughts From the Munt of Blessing, p. 17). Through grace, the law of God can be perfectly obeyed by every child of Adam (ibid., p. 49). Jesus' life in you will produce the same as in Him (ibid., p. 78). Satan claimed that it was impossible for man to obey God's commandments. In our own strength it is true that we cannot obey them. But Christ in the form of humanity, by His perfect obedience, proved that through Him we can obey every one of God's precepts (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 314).
Obedience is possible. Obedience is necessary. Obedience is important. If we depend upon Jesus as He depended upon His Father, we will have Him dwelling in us, and obedience will come naturally, spontaneously. "The life that Christ lived in this world, men and women can live through His power and under His instruction. In their conflict with Satan they may have all the help that He had. They may be more than conquerors."--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 22).
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:23.
One of the most beautiful truths in the whole theme of salvation by faith is that Jesus came not only to die for us but to show us how to live, through dependence on the power that is above us, not the power that is within us. Jesus said in John 5:19 and 30, "I can do nothing of Myself."
It is almost a comedy that, while Jesus, who had power within Him that He could have used, constantly depended upon the power above Him and never used the power He had within, we, who have no power within to produce anything in terms of obedience or righteousness, constantly try to depend upon the power that we don't have! Jesus, who was God, lived as a man, through dependence upon God. And we who are men try to live as God. It simply can't be done. This is one of the most conclusive reasons why obedience can come only by faith.
Jesus not only proved that the law of God could be kept but He makes provision for each one of us to keep it if we will depend on God as He did. Jesus had no advantage over us (The Desire of Ages, p. 119). Not even by a thought did Jesus yield to temptation. So it may be with us (ibid., p. 123). We can obey as Jesus did (ibid., p. 309). We can overcome as Jesus did (Thoughts From the Munt of Blessing, p. 17). Through grace, the law of God can be perfectly obeyed by every child of Adam (ibid., p. 49). Jesus' life in you will produce the same as in Him (ibid., p. 78). Satan claimed that it was impossible for man to obey God's commandments. In our own strength it is true that we cannot obey them. But Christ in the form of humanity, by His perfect obedience, proved that through Him we can obey every one of God's precepts (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 314).
Obedience is possible. Obedience is necessary. Obedience is important. If we depend upon Jesus as He depended upon His Father, we will have Him dwelling in us, and obedience will come naturally, spontaneously. "The life that Christ lived in this world, men and women can live through His power and under His instruction. In their conflict with Satan they may have all the help that He had. They may be more than conquerors."--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 22).
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