Spirit Baptism And Abiding In Christ 9780981573694

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• Has your Christian experience been all you hoped it would be? • Have you been unable to live a life of continual obedience to Christ? • Has your life been one of short victories over temptation followed by periods of frustrating failure? • Do you have besetting sins that you don’t seem to be able to gain the victory over? • Does your service for the Lord seem to be unfruitful? If this is your experience as a Christian, this book has perhaps the best news you have ever heard!

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Copyright © 2010 by Dennis Smith All Rights Reserved Printed in the USA Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Cover designed by David Berthiaume Text designed by Greg Solie • AltamontGraphics.com ISBN: 978-0-9815736-9-4

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About the Author

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hen this book was written Dennis Smith was serving as a pastor in the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dennis has served the church as an active layman, and in pastoral and departmental positions for over 35 years. Dennis received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University. While at Colorado State, he became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. After working in Engineering for a short time, he felt the call to full time ministry. To fulfill that calling, Dennis attended Andrews University Theological Seminary and received a Masters of Divinity degree. Dennis has also done studies in the area of public health from Loma Linda University. In 1999 the Lord led Dennis and his wife, Patty, to begin studying the teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As a result of their study, they were convicted to specifically pray for this biblical experience. Soon after they prayed for God to grant this infilling experience of the Spirit, a new spiritual life began to take hold of them both. Almost immediately Dennis felt led to begin writing about the things he was learning and experiencing. This book and the other books he has written are the result of that experience.

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Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 Justification by Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3 The Christian’s Struggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 4 Sin’s Power Broken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 5 The Victory and Exaltation of Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 6 Christ Gives the Victory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 7 The Vine and the Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 8 The Faith Struggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 9 God’s Commandments and Abiding in Christ . . . . . . 79 10 Beware of Presumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 11 Abiding and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 12 The Sabbath Rest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  101 13 Living Without Christ as Mediator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

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have been a Christian for over 40 years. I know from personal experience the guilt, frustration, and sadness that comes into the Christian’s life when sin seems to be the rule rather than the exception. Discouragement often takes over the believer when he reads such Bible verses as: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Romans 6:11-12 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:19 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9

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When the struggling Christian turns to the writings of Ellen White he finds similar statements. “Moral perfection is required of all. Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong doing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 330 “ ‘The prince of this world cometh,’ said Jesus, ‘and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us.” Desire of Ages, p. 123 “He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.” Manuscript 161, 1897. Again and again discouragement sets in and the victorious life that the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy appear to call the Christian to seems impossible to attain. At such times it is easy to begin reasoning; perhaps such statements about victory are simply an ideal that the Christian is to strive to attain. God knows it is actually impossible to live this kind of victorious life and He covers us with the righteousness of Christ. After all, what else could God say? He certainly cannot condone sinful behavior. The only kind of life He can call the Christian to is one of complete obedience. Christians of Past Generations The Lord has given us examples in both the Bible and history of individuals who have learned lessons in life as the struggled to enter into the victorious life the Bible calls them to attain. Paul tells us that “all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). One such example is that of J. Hudson Taylor, the well known 19th century missionary to China.

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Taylor experienced frustration, confusion, and discouragement at the beginning of his service for the Lord. At the age of thirty-seven he shared his inner most feelings with his mother in a letter. In it we read of the feelings of failure and defeat he felt because of his inability to be faithful to His Lord in all things. Taylor wrote: “My own position becomes continually more and more responsible, and my need greater of special grace to fill it; but I have continually to mourn that I follow at such a distance and learn so slowly to imitate my precious master. I cannot tell you how I am buffeted sometimes by temptation. I never knew how bad a heart I had. Yet I do know that I love God and love His work, and desire to serve Him only in all things. And I value above all things that precious Savior in Whom alone I can be accepted. Often I am tempted to think that one so full of sin cannot be a child of God at all; but I try to throw it back, and rejoice all the more in the preciousness of Jesus, and in the riches of that grace that has made us ‘accepted in the Beloved.’ Beloved He is of God; beloved He ought to be of us. But oh, how short I fall here again! May God help me to love Him more and serve Him better. Do pray for me. Pray that the Lord will keep me from sin, will sanctify me wholly, will use me more largely in His service.” John McCarthy, a fellow missionary in China, wrote Taylor a letter describing a recent understanding he had come to concerning victory over temptation through Christ. In the letter McCarthy wrote: “To let my loving Savior work in me His will, my sanctification is what I would live for by His grace. Abiding, not striving or struggling; looking off unto Him; trusting Him for present power; … resting in the love of an almighty Savior, in the joy of a complete salvation, ‘from all sin’—this is not new, and yet ‘tis new to me. I feel as though the dawning of a glorious day had risen upon me. I hail it with trembling, yet with trust. I seem to have got to the edge only, but of a boundless sea; to have sipped only, but of that which fully satisfies. Christ literally all seems to me, now, the power, the only power for service, the only ground for unchanging joy. May he lead us into the realization of His unfathomable fullness. …

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Not a striving to have faith … but a looking off to the Faithful One seems all we need; a resting in the Loved One entirely, for time and for eternity.” God used this letter to open Taylor’s eyes to the wonderful truth of our abiding in Christ and His abiding in us; the truth of the mystery of the believer’s union with Christ. From that day forward Taylor’s walk with God was one of peace, rest, and victory in Christ. This amazing change could be seen by his colleagues in ministry who said, “Mr. Taylor went out, a new man in a new world, to tell what the Lord had done for his soul.” Taylor wrote his sister in England seeking to explain to her this wonderful truth he had discovered and the marvelous experience he was having in His Lord. He said: “As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the weight and strain are all gone. The last month or more has been perhaps, the happiest of my life; and I long to tell you a little of what the Lord has done for my soul. I do not know how far I may be able to make myself intelligible about it, for there is nothing new or strange or wonderful—and yet, all is new! In a word, ‘Whereas once I was blind, now I see.’ “When my agony of soul was at it height, a sentence in a letter from dear McCarthy was used to remove the scales from my eyes, and the Spirit of God revealed the truth of our oneness with Jesus as I had never known it before. McCarthy, who had been much exercised by the same sense of failure, but saw the light before I did, wrote (I quote from memory): ‘But how to get faith strengthened? Not by striving after faith, but by resting on the Faithful One.’ “As I read I saw it all! ‘If we believe not, he abideth faithful.’ I looked to Jesus and saw (and when I saw, oh, how joy flowed!) I thought. ‘I have striven in vain to rest in Him. I’ll strive no more. For has He not promised to abide with me—never to leave me, never to fail me?’ And, dearie, He never will!” Taylor went on in his letter to describe how the Lord had opened up his understanding concerning Christ’s words that He is the vine and the

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believers are the branches. He wrote: “Oh, the joy of seeing this truth!” Then he said: “The sweetest part, if one may speak of one part being sweeter than another, is the rest which full identification with Christ brings. I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize this; for He, I know, is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult His grace is sufficient.” Yes, J. Hudson Taylor found the secret of victory in his walk with God and great peace in all circumstances of service for Christ. God offers to each of His children this same victory and peace. Do you desire such victory and peace? My prayer is that all who read this book will find just that—victory and peace in Christ; a joy that seemed so impossible to attain before. The Path to Discovery However, every Christian who discovers this glorious truth of “Christ in us” has followed a similar path as their fellow travelers. They had accepted Christ as their Savior, but were burdened and bewildered by their Christian walk that was so sporadic in obedience and unfruitful in service. They longed for a consistently faithful walk with their Lord, but never found it. They struggled with besetting sins, but the sins seemed to win the battle. They prayed and studied their Bibles, but that didn’t seem to bring the victory they longed for. After perhaps years of struggle they came to the point of despair and weariness. Their sense of failure was overwhelming. The life of continual victory over sin seemed impossible to attain. Then one day they discovered the reality of the mystery of union with Christ; Christ living in them. Once discovered, they were amazed at how simple this marvelous truth was—yet it had eluded their understanding for years. After this discovery their life was never again the same. Their joy in the Lord was deep and abiding. Their life was now consistently victorious, even over besetting sins. They no longer felt burdened or anxious in their service for the Lord and their service became the most fruitful for the Lord.

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Simple Yet Elusive This book presents the truth that there is no righteousness in this earth except the righteousness of Christ. Christ has provided both justifying and sanctifying righteousness for the believing Christian. Christ’s justifying righteousness and subtitutionary death frees him from the guilt and penalty of sin. Christ’s sanctifying righteousness enables the believer to live a life in obedience to God as he learns how to let Christ live out His righteousness in and through him; how to experience to the fullest Christ’s abiding presence. The truth of abiding in Christ and His abiding in us, and how we are to experience a victorious Christian life is so simple and yet so elusive that most Christians have never discovered it to the fullest. Today God is calling us to this amazing experience in Christ. Why? Jesus is coming soon. All who are ready to meet Him will be just like Him (1 John 3:2). Their daily experience will have had to become one of complete victory in Christ if they are to be “like” Jesus when He comes. Therefore, this wonderful biblical truth is of no small consequence to Christians living in our day. Jesus is coming soon and God is calling us to a much higher experience with Him than most of us have ever had. This book is dedicated to the goal of leading all who read it to understand and experience the “abiding” God is offering to us; “Christ in us” the hope of glory for His people, which is called the “mystery” of the gospel (Colossians 1:27). John tells us that just before Christ returns this “mystery” will be brought to completion and finished. “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:7 When this truth is understood and discovered the believer will proclaim from the depths of his heart, “Christ did it all.” The deliverance Christ gives lays all of man’s boasting in the dust. “That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31

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When the believer experiences abiding in Christ to the fullest extent he will claim no glory for his victories over temptation and sin. All the glory will go to God and he will proclaim throughout all eternity, “Christ did it all!”

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Chapter One Justification by Faith

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n this book I am focusing primarily on sanctification; how the believer lives the obedient Christian life by letting Christ manifest His righteousness in and through him. Some have called this the “imparted” righteousness of Christ. It is essential the Christian understand this aspect of righteousness by faith because he is to become just like Jesus in order to be ready for His return (1 John 3:2). The goal of this book is to enable the reader to better understand how this is to happen in their life. It is a subject that all Christians must understand and experience if they are living when Jesus returns. In this chapter I am focusing on the justification aspect of receiving Christ’s righteousness. This has been called receiving the “imputed” righteous of Christ. Justification and sanctification, the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ go hand–in-hand when one accepts Christ as his Savior. They are two sides of the same coin. God’s desire is for the believer to experience both in life. The problem through the ages has been confusion concerning what the Bible teaches on these important subjects and understanding how to experience them to the fullest in the life. The great Protestant Reformation of the 15th and 16th centuries was led by such men as Jerome, Hus, Luther, and Calvin becoming personally enlightened through God’s Word on this vital subject. Through the study of God’s Word they realized the established church of their day was teaching error concerning these vital biblical truths. Justification by faith was a precious teaching to these great Bible scholars just as it has continued to be to all who have come to understand and accept it since that time. To be justified is to be declared free from the guilt and penalty of law breaking. For instance, if you are accused of breaking some law you will be taken to court, tried, and judged. If you are found guilty you will receive

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a just penalty for your law breaking. If during the trial you are found innocent of the charges you will then be declared “justified.” You will be free from the guilt and penalty of the law breaking you were accused of. This is what justification by faith is all about for the Christian. When a sinner accepts Christ and asks God’s forgiveness the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the accused sinner, and he becomes justified: freed from the guilt and penalty of his law breaking, which is death. Man’s Condition The first step in understanding and experiencing justification from our disobedience of God’s law is to know what the Bible teaches about man’s natural-born condition before God. According to the Bible we are all sinners through and through. Not one of us is righteous; for we have all sinned (Romans 3:10, 23). Because of this condition we are all condemned to death as unrighteous law breakers (Romans 6:23). This terrible condition came upon mankind through the forefather of us all, Adam (Romans 5:12). His sin brought this circumstance upon mankind. Along with this sinful condition came the just penalty of death. Therefore, every human being stands before God as a condemned sinner deserving of death. That is our hopeless, helpless condition and unless God does something for us we are all eternally lost—separated from God. This is the reason Jesus Christ became one of us (John 3:16-18). Once one understands this he might say; “I now realize I’m a sinner. So I will begin obeying God’s law and He will accept or justify me; declare me free from the guilt and death penalty of sin. I will now begin obeying God’s law, work hard at atoning for all my past sins and become righteous in His sight.” The truth is that when we come to realize we are sinful law breakers we are powerless to then begin keeping the law of God in order to achieve righteousness and justification; freedom from the guilt and penalty of sin in our life (Romans 3:20). No matter how hard “we try” to obey God’s law we still fall short of perfect righteous obedience. No, we are sinners through and through; slaves to sin through our sinful nature (Romans 7:14, 18). We are filled with unrighteousness (Romans 1:29). Any righteousness we try to attain by trying to obey God’s law is as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). A Fatal Error This was the spiritual “trap” or error the Jews of Christ’s day fell into. They thought they could be righteous in God’s sight by keeping the law

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(Romans 9:31, 32). They were trying the impossible and didn’t know it. So when Christ came preaching righteousness by faith the religious leaders believed He was teaching heresy. They rejected the only One through whom they could become righteous. The Apostle Paul wrote of their condition and clearly stated that Christ is the “end” or fulfillment of the law for righteousness for all who believe in Him: “Brethren, my heart’s desire for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:1-4 On the other hand, the non-Jews (Gentiles) who accepted Christ attained righteousness before God. How did they do that? They became righteous before God by “faith” in Christ and His righteousness (Romans 9:30). For the Bible teaches that there is no way to become righteous and be saved except through belief in Christ (Acts 4:12). No one is made righteous and saved by his or her own righteous works. Righteousness and salvation comes only through faith in Jesus (Titus 3:5, 6). Paul wrote: “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. … Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:20, 28 Remember, there is no righteousness on this earth except Christ’s righteousness. And only by His righteousness are we justified and sanctified. Hence, to try to become righteous in any other way except through Christ’s righteousness is legalism. This applies to both imputed and imparted righteous in the Christian’s life. The Bible teaches that we receive Christ’s imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness by our faith in Him. We experience both justification and sanctification by faith in Christ. Our efforts to keep God’s law do not make us righteous. Righteousness is only experienced by faith in Christ.

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“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6 Jesus’ Gift This is why Jesus Christ chose to be born a man, live a human life and allow Himself to be put to death. Only Christ, the God-man, could save man (John 1:1-4, 14). When Jesus walked this earth as a man He lived the perfect sinless, righteous life (1 Peter 2:22). He was tempted in all points just as we are and gained the victory over every temptation (Hebrews 4:15). The Apostle Paul contrasts Adam and Christ in the fifth chapter of Romans. He points out that through Adam’s sin all his descendents (you and I) became sinners by nature. Therefore Adam and all his descendents stand guilty before God and condemned to death (Romans 5:12). On the other hand, Christ came and lived the perfectly righteous life. Because of this the one who chooses to believe in Christ has His righteousness given to him freely (Romans 5:17-19). This transaction happens by “faith.” That is why the Christian become righteous in God’s sight by faith in Christ. He has Christ’s righteousness put on him or is covered by Christ’s righteousness by faith; by believing it is so. The Christian can do nothing to earn this righteousness. As a result, this is how a man or woman can become righteous. They respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction that Jesus is their Savior and that they are a sinner. They accept Christ as their Savior, confess their sin and ask God to forgive them. They believe they are forgiven (1 John 1:9). They believe they are now covered with Christ’s righteousness. So when God looks at them He sees perfect obedience; the obedience of Christ. They accept the fact that Christ died for their sin (Isaiah 53:5-6). By faith they accept the free gift of forgiveness, righteousness and eternal life Jesus gives them (Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-13). By faith they stand “justified” before God—free from the guilt and death penalty of sin. By faith in Christ a marvelous exchange takes place in the Christian. Jesus takes our sins and death penalty upon Himself and He gives us His perfect righteousness and eternal life. Ellen White wrote: “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might

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receive the life which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’” Desire of Ages, p. 25 Remember, when the sinner brought a lamb to the priest as his sacrifice for his sins, the priest did not inspect the sinner. No, the priest inspected the lamb. When we come before God confessing our sins, and we have the “lamb” of God as our savior we have nothing to fear. When God inspects the Lamb He sees perfect righteousness. Forgotten Sins It seems to be a natural response of man to want to do something to make amends for his sins. This is why the false doctrine of meritorious penitent acts of contrition became a part of Christianity. The Christian may also find himself sometimes confessing a sin more than once to God if in his mind the sin is very grievous. A sin need be confessed only once. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 The story of David and his sin of adultery and murder is a prime example of God’s complete forgiveness of the sinner. It seems David had forgotten about his sin and went on about his business as king. So God sent Nathan the prophet to David to call attention to his sin. Nathan told a story about a poor man’s little ewe lamb that was taken by a rich man for a feast who had many sheep of his own. David became enraged and was ready to pass judgment on the rich man for his unjust act against the poor man. Then Nathan said: “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken

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his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.” 2 Samual 12:7-9 David deeply repented of his sin. His prayer of repentance is found in Psalm chapter 51. God accepted David’s confession and forgave him. Years later, Jeroboam was king, but was leading Israel away from God. Consequently, God sent a prophet to him to confront him with his sin. We read of the encounter in 1 Kings. God told the prophet: “Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes.” 1 Kings 14:7-8 Notice who God used as an example of faithfulness to God in contrast to Jeroboam’s unfaithfulness. God said, “thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;” God forgot! In God’s mind David was an obedient servant of God. God tells all who repent of their sin and ask for forgiveness: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17 God’s forgiveness is complete. He never brings our sins to mind. They are totally forgotten by God. What a wonderful gift God has given us in His act of forgiving our sins. We too should not bring to mind our past sins and let them weigh us down. This is the only way to experience the full and complete forgiveness God offers, and have peace in our heart. As God’s forgiveness becomes a reality in our heart our love for God will grow deeper and deeper. We will come to know what a truly loving heavenly Father we have.

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The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

nderstanding and experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for the Christian to enter into the mystery of union with Christ; abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in him. For this reason I have included this chapter on the Spirit’s infilling in this book. If we do not understand and experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will not enjoy the fullness of Christ living in us nor have the victories necessary to become just like Jesus, and be ready for His second coming. Also, our service for Him will be less fruitful. I direct the reader to my book, “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” for a more in-depth study on the subject of Spirit baptism. If you have read that book this chapter will be a review for you. However, for the benefit of those who have not read that book I felt it necessary to include this chapter. Satan’s Plan Satan does not want you to understand or experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Ellen White was aware of Satan’s devices to hinder the reception of this Gift by God’s people. “Since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of vital importance to the church of Christ, it is one of the devices of Satan, through the errors of extremists and fanatics, to cast contempt upon the work of the Spirit, and cause the people of God to neglect this source of strength which our Lord Himself has provided.” Australian Signs of the Times, July 24, 1911 The baptism of the Holy Spirit simply describes a special infilling of the Holy Spirit into the life of the believer. This baptism is also called

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infilling and anointing, and has been available to Christians since the day of Pentecost 2,000 years ago. Peter associated the Pentecost outpouring of the Spirit with the “early rain” prophecy of Joel; (Acts 2:16-21). Jesus’ Promise and Example Jesus promised that the Father would give the Spirit to all who ask, (Luke 11:13). Paul tells us we receive this gift by faith (Galatians 3:14). The reception of this Gift is so important that Paul commands us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). It is not simply an option. It is a necessity if the believer is earnest about experiencing the full deliverance the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. Jesus is our example in all things. In His life we see the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a special, separate event following His baptism. This event equipped Him for victory over Satan. It was also a special anointing for ministry (Luke 4:18, 19). Christ’s experience is a divine model for every Christian. Christ was “begotten” of the Spirit, (Luke 1:35). He was led by the Spirit in his childhood and early manhood, (Luke 2:52). He received water baptism, which was followed by baptism in the Spirit, (Luke 3:21, 22). From that point on He was filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1). After this experience of Spirit baptism (infilling or anointing) He was prepared to confront Satan and gain His greatest victories over this enemy (Luke 4:2-13). He went forth to minister in the power of the Spirit from that day onward (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38). The experience of every believer is to follow Christ’s example. The Christian is first born of the Spirit and baptized in water (John 3:5-8). However, water baptism is not enough. It is only the beginning. The believer must also be baptized by the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16). This Spirit baptism became available from the day of Pentecost onward. The infilling of the Spirit is necessary for the believer to have the power to live a victorious life and successfully witness for Christ, (Acts 1:8). Jesus said the believer would do the “works” He did and “greater works.” When Jesus was on earth He could only be at one place at one time. However, when He ascended to His Father He was able to be in many places throughout the earth by indwelling His followers through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18, 1 John 3:24). Hence, Jesus empowers the believer to do the same works He did by the Holy Spirit, and these works will be greater because they are more widespread.

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The fulfillment of Jesus’ promise was seen on the day of Pentecost and following. The gospel was preached, souls were won, unity and joy were seen in the believers, and the sick were healed (Acts 2:46, 47; 5:15, 16). This was the same type of ministry as Jesus’ ministry. Receiving the Baptism of the Spirit After Pentecost Not every believer was present at Pentecost. A practical question might be, how did believers receive the baptism of the Spirit after Pentecost? The answer is found in the book of Acts. On a couple occasions the Spirit fell on a group while Peter spoke to them (Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-17). It appears that God led the church to receive the baptism of the Spirit in a more orderly way by the laying on of hands also (Acts 8:12-17; 19:1-6). Note in Acts 8 the individuals of Samaria were led by the Spirit to accept Christ and be baptized. Yet they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Peter and John came to them from Jerusalem for the specific purpose to lay hands on them and pray for the baptism of the Spirit to come upon them. This is a clear indication that water baptism and Spirit baptism are two separate experiences. The Spirit leads an individual to accept Christ and be baptized in water. This is a different work than the baptism of the Spirit, which must be sought separately when one becomes aware of it. We see in Acts that Paul also received the baptism of the Spirit by the laying on of hands and prayer, (Acts 9:17). The one performing this prayer with laying on of hands should be a believer who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit themselves. When a member asks to be prayed for to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit an example of a prayer that might be used with the laying on of hands on the head of the requester is as follows. “Heavenly Father, we come into Your presence in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. When on earth Jesus said; If we being evil know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more is our heavenly Father willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. And your servant Paul said that we receive the gift of the Spirit by faith. So Father, we come before you seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit for (name). In the name of Jesus Christ I claim the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit for (name). I pray that You will so infill (name) with the presence of Jesus that His character will be fully manifest through (name). I pray that

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the fruit of the Spirit will be seen in (name) life and that (name) witness for Jesus will be attended as never before by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Father for hearing our prayer. In Jesus name, amen.” A believer desiring the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily have to have someone pray for them with laying on of hands. When I first began sharing this teaching with our church one of the members decided that very evening to seek the baptism of the Spirit. She earnestly prayed for God to fill her with His Spirit. She said later that she felt the greatest peace that she ever felt come over her. God has not limited Himself to only one method of receiving the baptism of the Spirit. I do believe that the special ceremony of praying with laying on of hands is a wonderful way to seek the infilling of the Spirit. It is always a special blessing to share in this sacred experience with a fellow believer. God Calls Every Christian to Receive Spirit Baptism Ellen White stated many years ago; “What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples after the crucifixion of their Lord.” Review & Herald, February 18, 1890 “Impress upon all the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the church, so that they will be living, growing, fruit-bearing trees of the Lord’s planting.” Testimonies vol. 6, p. 86 When one reads Ellen White’s statements on the baptism of the Holy Spirit it is clear that she saw its importance and urged every believer to seek it. It was clear to her that the baptism of the Spirit was essential for God’s work to be finished in the lives of His people and in this earth. These statements also indicate that the Christian does not automatically receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion or water baptism. If that were the case Ellen White would not tell Christians that this is an experience they need. God sought to again draw our denomination’s attention to this very important experience in the Spring of 1928, when Elder LeRoy Froom was

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led to present this subject to delegates and workers at the quadrennial ministerial institutes held in conjunction with the union conference sessions. The book, The Coming of the Comforter, resulted from these presentations. Referring to our neglect of understanding and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit LeRoy Froom states; “I am persuaded that this is our colossal blunder. I confess it has been mine. We are not to ‘go’ until we are endued. … All true service begins at our personal Pentecost.” The Coming of the Comforter, p. 94 Froom continues; “For there is an experience beyond and above the initial step by which the Holy Spirit first reveals sin, and begets a new life in the soul, and that is to be filled with the Spirit. For the lack of this, one’s testimony is feeble and the spiritual life but partial. “Alas, many today have gone as far as the baptism of repentance, but no farther.” Ibid., 142, 143 Froom’s study led him to believe that the Spirit’s infilling is necessary in order for the believer to be victorious through the time of trouble to Christ’s coming. “It is a relationship into which we may or may not enter, though we are exhorted, yea divinely commanded to, in Ephesians 5; and in order to abide through the time when there will be no high priestly intercession, when mercy ceases and forgiveness for transgressions is ended, we must enter.” Ibid., 170 Don’t Let Satan Mislead There has been much misinformation and confusion about what happens when a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Satan fears this experience in the believer more than any other. He knows that the baptism of the Holy Spirit will break his power in the believer’s life and the resulting powerful witness for Jesus Christ will bring Satan’s work to an end on planet earth. For this reason he has done everything he can to confuse this

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teaching and cause many sincere Christians to misunderstand it and even be suspicious of it. “There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come.” Review & Herald, March 22, 1887 Receiving the baptism of the Spirit does not necessarily involve a highly emotional experience. One may or may not feel something at the time of seeking the infilling of the Spirit. However, the Spirit will make Himself known to the one He indwells. His presence will begin changing the believer’s life from within. A new power for victory and service will be manifested. God desires to give His children this wonderful experience of Spirit baptism. However, in order to receive we must ask in faith believing He will bestow it. Secondly we must be willing to give ourselves completely to God. “The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 507 Seek the Baptism Every Day Another very important point is that we must renew this infilling every day. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). The dying to self and infilling of the Spirit is a daily experience. It is not a “once and for ever” experience. Paul tells us that the “inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). We need the renewing of the Spirit every day of our life. Also, Paul’s command to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), is a continuous action verb in the Greek meaning we are to keep on being filled with the Spirit daily. With the infilling of the Spirit the believer is led by the Spirit. Paul writes of the importance of this being a daily experience when he states; “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

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Again the verb form in the Greek is continuous action. Paul is saying, “as many as are continuing to be led daily by the Spirit of God.” Hence, we must receive the Spirit everyday to be led by Him everyday. Christ is our example in all things. Note what Ellen White writes about the baptism of the Spirit in Christ’s daily life. “Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others.” Christ Object Lessons, p.139 Benefits of Receiving the Baptism The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives power to our witness and brings forth the fruit of Christ’s character in the life. Paul speaks of this when he writes; “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 God’s glory is His character (Exodus 33:18, 19). Paul states here that the believer will be growing in Christ’s character, “from glory to glory,” by the Spirit of the Lord that dwells in him. The infilling of the Spirit of God will “make you perfect in every good work, to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Hebrews 13:21). Ellen White reaffirms the development of character the recipient of the Spirit’s infilling receives when she writes; “When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace takes the place of anger, envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven.” Desire of Ages, p.173

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We Can Grieve the Spirit There are things we can do that will grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If we do not daily seek Him, and cooperate in following where He leads us His power will wane and our Christian experience will weaken. God doesn’t force. When we receive the baptism of the Spirit He will have a greater impact in our life. We will feel His promptings more strongly. The Spirit will be daily putting the desire in our heart to obey God. He will call us to study God’s Word and pray more. The Spirit will cause us to begin loving righteousness and hate sin. However, we are always free to disregard His promptings. When we do this we begin the process of “grieving” or “quenching” the Spirit. Paul gives very practical advice in many sections of Scripture on how to avoid doing this. The practical counsels Paul gives to the believer on living the Christian life are aimed at helping us maintain the fullness of the Spirit in our life. Two examples of such counsel are found in Ephesians 4:25-32 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19. Paul knew that the Spirit of God dwelling in the believer would be prompting him to do the things listed in these verses. If we refuse to yield to His prompting we will be in danger of “grieving” and “quenching” the Spirit. If you find that you have grieved the Spirit don’t get discouraged. Instead, ask God to forgive you (1 John 1:9), and He will. Then ask God to fill you anew with His Spirit and He will (Luke 11:13). Ask Him in faith and you will receive, (Galatians 3:14). David knew God’s mercy. He had committed the sins of adultery and murder. He had walked away from the prompting of God’s Spirit in his life when he committed these terrible acts. Yet when he was convicted of his sin by the Spirit he turned to God in prayer (Psalm 51). Note especially these words: “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalm 51:9-12 When we find that we have been slipping away from God we must not let another moment go by without confessing our sin, accepting God’s forgiveness and claiming the promise of the renewing of the Spirit in our life

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as David did. Then we will be once again strengthened in the “inner” man to be victorious over Satan (Ephesians 3:16-19). We Must Experience the Early Rain to Receive the Latter Rain of the Spirit It is time for the “latter rain” to fall. If we do not experience the infilling of the Spirit, which is the “early rain” (Joel 2:23), we will not be prepared to receive and participate in the work of the latter rain. I believe God is moving among His people today and leading them into this wonderful experience. If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit don’t delay another day. His reception should be first and foremost in our lives. For this Gift will bring all other gifts to us. The Spirit’s infilling will change our lethargy to excitement, our weakness to strength, and our witness will be with a power not seen since the day of Pentecost. A Necessity for Experiencing “Christ in Us” As I mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, for Christ to live in us fully we must daily experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Christ lives in us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18, 1 John 3:24). This experience will lead us to become just like Jesus in our life and service for Him. The Spirit filled experience is not an option for those ready to meet Jesus when He returns. It is a necessity! Hence, it is my prayer that all who read this book will experience the Spirit’s infilling every day. The baptism of the Holy Spirit must become a consistent part of our life in order for us to live the victorious Christian life, and be ready for Christ’s return. There is no other way to come out of our Laodicean condition, and be prepared for the final crisis and Christ’s second coming. Ellen White confirms this with the words: “Nothing but the baptism of the Holy Spirit can bring up the church to its right position, and prepare the people of God for the fast approaching conflict.” Letter 15, 1889, Dr Burke I pray that you will take God’s instruction seriously. If you are not daily claiming the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit do not let another day go by without seeking this marvelous blessing. For the Spirit’s infilling brings all other blessings to you.

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Chapter Three The Christian’s Struggle

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titled this chapter, “The Christian’s Struggle,” because the non-believer does not have the struggle that the Christian has. The unconverted man does not have the Spirit of God and is only controlled by his carnal mind. According to Paul the carnal mind is “enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). The non-Christian does not obey rules or laws because God has put it in his heart to do so. He obeys for personal, selfish reasons, because of social pressure, etc. Or perhaps he was raised in a principled home and has a conscience that leads him to live a respectable life. Ellen White wrote of this kind of obedience. “It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions.” Steps to Christ, p. 58 The Christian on the other hand obeys God because the Spirit of God has put the desire to obey in his heart (Romans 6:17). The born again individual very much wants to carry out God’s will in their life. Paul calls this delighting “in the law of God after the inward man” (Romans 7:22). Under the new covenant promise the Holy Spirit begins writing God’s law in their heart and mind (Hebrews 8:8-10, 2 Corinthians 3:3). However, the new believer discovers very quickly that there is another very strong desire in him; the desire for sin. Now that he has the Spirit of God he is aware of his sinful desires where before many of those desires didn’t really concern him.

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The War Within So the Christian discovers that there are now two natures residing in him; one that desires to follow sin and the other that desires to obey God. Paul very clearly describes this intense conflict experienced by every Christian when he wrote: “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God— through Jesus Christ our Lord! “So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:14-25 NIV I am sure that every reader can identify with the struggle Paul describes. Christians often experience this struggle day after day, month after month and year after year, and never obtain the victory they want to have over sin. Every Christian is well aware of the fact that there is a “law of sin” dwelling within them, which is “waging war against” the God given desire to obey His law. As Paul stated; he “delighted in God’s law.” He very much wanted to obey God in all things. However, he found that it was impossible for him to do that. His sinful nature constantly sought to make him a “slave to the law of sin.” When a Christian experiences this intense struggle with sin in his life Satan comes along and tells him that he isn’t even a Christian. The truth

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is that this struggle is evidence that one is a Christian. Non-Christians don’t have this kind of struggle with sin. It is because the Christian has accepted Christ and takes the sin problem in his life seriously that he has this struggle. Recognizing the impossibility of obeying God due to the power of sin in his life Paul cries out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Every sincere Christian has expressed this same crying out to God. Paul then declares that deliverance from the law of sin can only happen “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Solution In the following chapter in Romans, chapter eight, Paul lays out the solution to this dilemma every Christian faces; wanting to obey God, but being powerless within themselves to do so. He writes: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For want the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, I order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4 NIV The solution to the Christian’s dilemma is to allow Christ Jesus through the law of the Spirit of life to set us free from the law of sin and death. Put another way, we must let Jesus live out His life in us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is what Paul calls “walking in the Spirit.” He further elaborates on this in his letter to the Galatians. “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16, 17 In the New Testament several expressions are actually referring to the same experience; abide in Christ, Christ abides in you, walk in the Spirit,

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Christ in you, we have the mind of Christ, etc. They all refer to Christ living out His life in you through the Holy Spirit. Am I Really a Christian? When the Christian experiences the struggle with sin and often looses the battle he is tempted to question if he is really a Christian. At such times it is important to remember that it is your heart felt desire to obey God that gives evidence of the Spirit’s presence in your life. And if you have the Spirit of Christ you belong to Christ (Romans 8:9). It is because you are a Christian that you are having this struggle. It is also very important to remember that God understands the struggle you are having with sin. It is because of His Spirit dwelling in you that you are having the struggle. You now have the born again spiritual nature along with your natural born sinful nature dwelling in you. These two natures are in constant conflict. From the moment of your new birth you have been covered with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 5:19; 10:4). Christ has freed you from the guilt and penalty of sin (Isaiah 53:5, 6, Romans 3:28). The struggle you have with your sinful nature does not change that fact. If you struggle with sin and you fail Jesus Christ is still your “advocate with the Father” (1 John 2:1). When you fall into sin the Spirit convicts you of your erring ways and you confess the sin. Immediately you are forgiven (1 John 1:9). So do not let Satan take from you the assurance of salvation you have in Christ (1 John 5:11-13); what Paul calls the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). You may have struggled with some besetting sins for years and have yet to gain the complete victory. Remember, when Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive someone seven times Jesus told Peter to forgive them seventy times seven. If Peter would have asked about eight times Jesus would have said eighty times eight. The point Christ was making is that the Christian is to forgive someone as many times as they ask us to forgive them. God is no less forgiving than He requires us to be. As often as we ask God to forgive us He forgives. This is the same struggle J. Hudson Taylor experienced described in the introduction of this book. For years he faced failure and defeat not being able to achieve the victory over temptation and sin he so desperately longed for. As his letter to his mother stated, he at times questioned if he was really a Christian, and then he would fall back on the assurance of the salvation he had in Christ. This struggle continued until he discovered the

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marvelous truth of what it means to abide in Christ and let Him live out His life in him. From that moment forward he was a new man in Christ. The Problem The problem the struggling Christian has is not that he or she doesn’t want to obey God. The problem is that they don’t know how to live a consistently obedient life. That is what this book is all about; to help born again men and women find the simple yet elusive truth of how to let Christ live out His life in them. When this truth is discovered there will no longer be a struggle with temptation. The only struggle will be to decide if you want Christ to give you His victory over that particular sin. You still have a free will. Once that decision is made the victory will be gained through Christ living out His righteousness in the life. Right now you might be thinking; “What, that can’t be true!” Or you might be receiving hope that there really is an answer to the struggle you are having. I pray that you are receiving hope. After all, the Bible says that “as many as received him, to them gave him power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12). The word translated power comes from the Greek word from which we get the English word “dynamite.” There is no shortage of power with God. The problem is that many or even most Christians don’t know how to let God manifest His “dynamite” power in their lives for victory over every temptation and sin. You Can Live in Victory I want to reassure you from God’s Word that the Christian can truly live a victorious life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This book is dedicated to helping you, under the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment, discover that truth for yourself. The first step in experiencing the complete deliverance Jesus wants you to have over sin is to recognize that you have no power within yourself to obtain the victory. You must realize that you are absolutely helpless when it comes to overcoming the temptations in your life. The natural born sinful nature is so strong in you that its power will make you a slave of it unless the power of God delivers you from this slavery. This is the very point Paul was making in Romans chapter 7. The natural response of every Christian to God’s commands it to put forth every effort with God’s help to try to obey. What I want you to realize in this chapter is that your striving to obey will cause to you to fail every

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time. You do not have it in you to obey no matter how hard you try. You don’t have it in you to obey even if you think you can with God’s added power united with your effort to obey. You must realize that you can do absolutely nothing to live an obedient life as far as putting forth effort is concerned. This is because of the extremely powerful sinful nature that resides in you. In stead of you struggling with the temptation you must depend 100 percent on Christ for victory. In this book I will be emphasizing very strongly the fact that our victory over temptation and sin comes only as we allow Christ to live out His life in us; not by struggling with the temptation. Our struggle is to maintain our hold on God and keep faith in His promises of victory. Peter pointed this out when he wrote: “Whereby 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.” 2 Peter 1:4 Peter goes on to tell us that as we partake of the divine nature, which is Christ living in us, we will be growing more and more like Christ. As we overcome our sinful natures effort to manifest sinful desires we will develop faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. As Paul puts it: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 It is through Christ living in us by the Holy Spirit that we are momentby-moment and day-by-day changed into Christ’s image. Every temptation we overcome by allowing Christ to manifest Himself in that particular area of our life will lead us to be changed into the image of Christ in that area of our life. That is why Paul writes that we are “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Since the power of our sinful nature is overcome by Christ living in us, in the next chapter we will consider what Christ has done to break the power of this sinful nature, which wants to make us its slave.

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Chapter Four Sin’s Power Broken

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e saw in the previous chapter that the power of our sinful nature is so strong that it is impossible for us to become free from its control by our own efforts. In Romans chapter seven Paul described the futility of the Christian trying to obey God’s commands that the Holy Spirit has put in his heart to obey. Many sincere Christians don’t realize this. So they continually put forth efforts to overcome the sins and temptations in their life asking God to add His power to their efforts. However, because of their sinful nature’s power these efforts ultimately fail. As a result they become discouraged, frustrated, bewildered and even question at times if they are really a Christian. Sin’s Power Broken at the Cross There are many aspects to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the aspects of the gospel is that at the cross the power of the sinful nature was broken for all who accept Christ and believe. Paul described it this way: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. … Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:6, 11 When Jesus died on the cross the power of the sinful nature in every believer’s life was broken. That is an historical fact. However, it becomes a reality in the Christian’s life only if he believes it is true.

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This means that the unloving you, the unforgiving you, the angry you, the lustful you, the anxious you; the list could go on and on, died at the cross. That is wonderful news. It means that you do not have to be controlled by your unloving attitudes, unforgiveness, anger, lustful thoughts and desires, etc. The power of these sinful desires, attitudes and behaviors is broken. A Wrong Conclusion The problem most Christians encounter when they read these Bible verses is that they conclude they should then be able to obey God with His help. For example, consider the Christian who has a struggle with anger. He reasons that if the power of his sinful anger was broken at the cross he can now stop being angry when something happens to cause him to become angry. He feels great relief and confident that now he will finally have the victory. Soon something happens to cause him to feel anger. Perhaps someone cuts him off while driving or someone says something very unkind to him. Immediately anger arises. He puts forth efforts to subdue it. However, he finds that it keeps lingering. He turns his mind away from the event or words that caused the anger. He tries to reason with himself about not being angry over the situation. Sometimes he can move on and the anger leaves, and other times it seems to linger. When he sees the person who spoke unkind or critical words he still feels anger well up in him. He doesn’t want these feelings, but seems helpless to get rid of them. He begins questioning himself about why anger is still arising in his feelings. He concludes that he must not have asked God or received from God enough of His power to assist him in his efforts to over come the anger. So he pleads with God to remove the anger, to give him the power needed; to give him the victory. He re-reads the Bible verses about the death of his sinful nature’s power and such verses as “I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me” (Philippians 4:13). He feels sure now that the next time he will be ready for the temptation and will gain the victory. However, he continues to experience the same pattern of being overcome by his besetting sins. More confusion and feelings of defeat set in. Again he questions his sincerity and has no peace in his walk with the Lord. It is very true that the power of our sinful nature was broken at the cross. However, this does not mean that if we now believe this we can then begin obeying God by putting forth efforts to do so. We might conclude

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that all we have to do is believe that sin’s power is broken in our life and face the temptations that come our way with that attitude. However, such faith and knowledge alone will not give us the victory we desire. The truth that the power of our sinful nature is broken is very important for us to know and believe. However, remember, we have no ability in and of ourselves to obey God even though the overwhelming influence of our sinful nature was broken at the cross. Simply knowing and believing that truth is not enough. No, there is only one way we will have the victory we long for. The victory over temptation and sin will take place in our lives only as we believe the truth of the crucifixion of our sinful nature, and also allow Christ to give us the victory; His victory. We must understand that we will be victorious over sin and temptation only as we allow Him to live out His life in us. This is the essential experience discussed in the following chapters.

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Chapter Five

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The Victory and Exaltation of Christ

he sinless life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are foundational to the Christian’s victory over temptation and sin. It is because of these events in Christ’s life that the believer can live a consistently obedient life. Freed From the Guilt, Penalty and Power of Sin and Declared Righteous First, Jesus Christ was tempted in “all points” as we are, “yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus did not sin in thought, word or deed. He lived the perfectly sinless, righteous life (1 Peter 2:22). Because of this fact the believer has the perfect righteous life of Christ covering him. He stands righteous in Christ before God. When God looks at him He sees Christ’s righteousness. This is “righteousness by faith.” This righteousness is not obtained by the Christian obeying the law of God. It is obtained by faith in Christ. Paul pointed out this truth when he wrote of how the Gentiles have obtained righteousness while Israel who sought to be righteous by keeping God’s commandments failed in achieving righteousness. “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works of the law.” Romans 9:30-32 Secondly, when Christ died on the cross He died the death we deserve because of our sins. The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death”

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(Romans 6:23). Our sins were placed on Jesus, and he paid the price for our disobedience (Isaiah 53:5, 6). That price was death. That is why at one point on the cross Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). At that moment He was dying the death of a God forsaken sinner. He could not see through the tomb because He allowed Himself to be enshrouded in our sins, which separated Him from the Father. Because of this we can be forgiven for our sins and receive the assurance of eternal life (1 John 1:9, 5:11-13). Jesus took our sins and death penalty, and gives to us His righteousness and eternal life. This transaction takes place through our faith in Him. Thirdly, as we have seen, when Christ died on the cross the power of the sinful nature of the believer was broken. Peter referred to this when he wrote: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 Here Peter says the same thing Paul taught when he wrote: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6 Christ’s Resurrection and Exaltation This being said, it would mean nothing without Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Paul tells us that Christ was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4). Christ’s resurrection validated that He was who He claimed to be, and that He successfully competed the work He came to accomplish; our total and complete salvation from sin. He has provided salvation from the guilt, penalty and power of sin in our life. Please note that this is past tense. He has already done this. It is an accomplished fact. Our part is to believe it. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul further explains Christ’s position as a result of His accomplished work on earth, and he prays that all believers would understand this. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge

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of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:17-23 Paul tells us that Christ is exalted above every principality, power, might, dominion and name, and that all things are “under his feet;” meaning all things are under His authority and power. Paul prayed that we would understand this; that we would know the “hope of our calling,” the “glory of the inheritance” we have in Christ, and the “exceeding greatness of his power” that is available to us. Our Resurrection and Exaltation in Christ In the second chapter of Ephesians Paul further explains this with the words: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5-7 What Paul is saying here is that besides being crucified with Christ when He died we were also raised to life with Him in His resurrection. Then besides that we are now also sitting together in Christ in heaven. Therefore, the believer who is abiding in Christ is with Christ in heaven, and is also exalted in Christ above every principality, power, might, dominion and name, and that all things are under the believer’s feet; under his authority and power. This is a truth that must also be believed in order to have victory over all temptation and sin.

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Jesus referred to the authority of the believer when He said: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 Rest in Christ and Receive Blessings God wants us to sit down and enjoy all the blessings we have in Christ. He wants us to enjoy what He has done for us and realize that we are not to try to work at attaining these blessings. They are ours by faith. We are forgiven by faith, we are righteous by faith, we have eternal life by faith, and we are to be victorious over temptation and sin by faith. This is what Paul is saying when he wrote: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6 Our life as Christians is dependent on our complete dependence on Christ; not on our own exertion of effort. We are to sit and rest in the truth of what God has done for us in Christ. Also, you did not put yourself there; God did. “But of him [God] are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 Notice in this verse we are told that Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. It is all Christ and nothing that we “do” in the area of putting forth effort. We simply believe what God says. Thus our victory over the sin problem in our life is attributed to God and God alone; not attributed to anything we have done or ever will do. “That no flesh should glory in his presence…that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29, 31 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

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Christ is everything for the Christian. Our deliverance from temptation and sin is not based on what we can do. No, it is based on what God has already done for us in the person of Jesus Christ. When this truth becomes a reality in our understanding we will then have the basis of our victory over sin. We will have discovered the secret of living the holy life God calls us to live. You may be saying, “Yes, I see what the Bible is saying, but how do I apply it to my everyday life when facing temptation to sin?” That is a good question. We will consider that next.

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Chapter Six Christ Gives the Victory

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o far we have discussed the struggle every Christian has with temptation and sin in his life. We have seen that even though the power of the sinful nature was broken at the cross for the believer in Jesus Christ, that fact alone does not give victory over sin. The Bible is clear and untold defeats in the Christian’s life confirm that we do not have the ability to overcome temptation and sin no matter how much effort we exert. Even if we ask God to add His power to our effort we still fail. Until the Christian comes to understand and experience what it means to let Christ give him the victory he will not experience the consistently obedient life he desires. In this chapter I will present how to let Christ live out His victorious life in you. When you come to understand and experience this truth your Christian life will never again be the same. Instead of a life of sporadic obedience and broken promises to God you will in time experience a life of victory through Christ over every temptation and sin Satan brings your way. Is It Possible? Is such a consistently obedient life really possible? Can we truly have victory over every temptation and sin in our life? That is the kind of life God in the Bible calls us to live. Remember the Bible verses previously quoted: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin

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therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Romans 6:11, 12 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:19 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9 These verses clearly state that victory over temptation and sin is possible for the Christian. Ellen White also supports this view. “He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.” Manuscript 161, 1897. “Moral perfection is required of all.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 330 “’The prince of this world cometh,’ said Jesus, ‘and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us.” Desire of Ages, p. 123 We are fast approaching the second coming of Christ. The Christians who are living when Jesus returns will have gained the victory over every temptation and sin in their life. John indicates this when he wrote: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:4 The Greek word translated “like” in this verse means just like Christ in character, nature, authority, etc. Christ was victorious over all temptation

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and sin; so also will those be who are ready to meet Him when He returns. Also, the fact that they are living without Christ as their mediator indicates the level of victory they will have attained in Christ. How Can It Happen in Your Life? So, what is the answer to how we can live a consistently victorious Christian life? The answer is letting Jesus live out His life in us. This truth is taught throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament we find references to it. David understood that victory came through God’s presence with him. “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8 “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11 Isaiah understood the necessity of continual connection with God for victory and peace in one’s life. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 The New Testament is very clear about the necessity of Christ living in us in order for us to have the victory over temptation and sin. Jesus used the imagery of the vine and branches to illustrate this truth. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:4, 5 Paul taught this truth throughout his writings. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11 “…we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

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Christ’s mind was filled with pure, holy, virtuous thoughts. If we have asked Christ to live in us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, if we believe He does and if we believe He will manifest His love, His pure, holy, virtuous thoughts in our mind He will do just that. It is a matter of faith; believing He will truly manifest Himself in our life. Paul recognized this fact when he wrote: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 “That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” Ephesians 3:16, 17 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 The Problem of Previous Definitions I am sure that these verses are familiar to you. The difficulty with what I am presenting in this chapter and book is that most Christians know the words and phrases I am using and bring to these their own definition of what they mean. Usually the personal application of these verses by the Christian is the belief that we must stay connected with God in order to have His power added to our efforts to obey. We often believe that Christ living in us means that He is there to strengthen us in our efforts to over come the temptations and sins in our life. That is not what these verses are saying. Remember, we have previously seen that our efforts are ineffective in overcoming temptation even when we have faith in God adding His power to our efforts. We have all tried that method and failed again and again. So, I challenge you to lay aside your definition of what it means to have Christ in you and prayerfully ask “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17, 18). He Was There All the Time First, I want you to realize that Jesus does literally abide in you. He said that He does and we can believe Him. This happens as we daily receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18, 1John 3:24). With Jesus living in us we have His mind (1Corinthians 2:16), His love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22, 23), His likes and dislikes, His pure thoughts, his forgiveness; the list could go on and on. Every virtue of Christ is in us through Christ abiding in us. It is essential we believe this fact. It is with this knowledge that we are to meet the temptations that come our way. However, even with this knowledge the majority of Christians live their life in the following way. They have accepted Christ by faith and believe they are forgiven. Then they think they need to work hard at becoming Christlike by putting forth efforts to obey Him. In their efforts to obey they ask God to add His power to these efforts. As I have stated before, all such efforts are doomed to failure. What I am presenting is not becoming Christlike or always having Christ’s help or power to resist temptation. What I am presenting is so much better than that. The truth is that Christ wants to literally live out His life in us; not simply add His power to our feeble efforts. How Does it Work? How does this happen? Simply put, the steps are these.

• When you become aware of a temptation to sin choose to turn your mind immediately away from it (Philippians 4:8).

• Believe that your sinful nature’s attraction to the temptation is broken.

• Believe Jesus is in you. • Ask Him to manifest His virtue in you in relation to the temptation. Be specific.

• Believe that He will manifest Himself in that manner.

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• Rest in that belief and don’t fight the temptation. When we fight

the temptation we are actually focusing on it and trying to resist it in our own strength.

• Thank Him for the deliverance He has just given you. Let’s take the example of anger. Someone does something to make you angry. Perhaps they cut you off while driving or says something hurtful to you. The application of these steps would go as follows:

• As soon as you become aware of the temptation to become angry

choose to turn your mind away from what is making you feel anger.

• Believe that the “angry you” was crucified at the cross and that the power of your sinful nature’s desire to become angry is broken.

• Believe Jesus is in you. • Ask Jesus to manifest His “non-anger” or “peace” in and through you. • Believe that He is doing that at that moment. • Rest in that belief and don’t fight the temptation to become angry. • Thank Him for the deliverance from anger He has just given you. Another example is when you are tempted to impure thoughts. Do the same thing with that temptation.

• As soon as you become aware of the temptation to think impure

thoughts choose to turn your mind away from what is making you think those impure thoughts.

• Believe that the “impure-thinking you” was crucified at the cross and that the power of your sinful nature’s desire to think impure thoughts is broken.

• Believe Jesus is in you. • Ask Jesus to manifest His “pure thoughts” in and through you. • Believe that He is doing that at that moment.

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• Rest in that belief and don’t fight the temptation to think impure thoughts.

• Thank Him for the deliverance from the impure thoughts He has just given you

One example that many Christians find difficult obtaining victory over is over eating or eating the wrong foods. This may seem most difficult because we all have to eat. So, how do we deal with that temptation? First, we have to be enlightened by the Spirit concerning what we should and should not eat, and how much and when we should eat. The Spirit will do this for us through the Word of God and personally convicting us in a particular situation. When the temptation comes and the Spirit convicts follow the same steps as listed before.

• As soon as you become aware of the temptation to eat the wrong

thing or take more food than necessary choose to turn your mind away from what is making you want to do this.

• Believe that the “over-eating you, self-indulgent you” was cruci-

fied at the cross and that the power of your sinful nature’s desire to over eat or eat the wrong foods is broken.

• Believe Jesus is in you. • Ask Jesus to manifest His “temperance,” His “appetite,” His self control” in and through you.

• Believe that He is doing that at that moment. • Rest in that belief and don’t fight the temptation to over eat or to eat the wrong foods.

• Thank Him for the deliverance from intemperance He has just given you

In this manner you will be allowing Jesus to live out His life in you every moment of every day. The victory is His. You are simply choosing to let Him manifest His virtues in and through you. That is your part; to choose, to give your will to God concerning a particular temptation. You are always free to not make that choice and focus on the temptation. When

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that happens the sinful desire is conceived and will bring forth the sin (James 1:14, 15). Perhaps someone has hurt you deeply. Sometimes in such situations we can experience what I call a “dark pleasure” by holding onto the anger and choosing not to forgive them. We feel they don’t deserve to be forgiven for the terrible thing they did to us. However, the Christian knows that God commands us to forgive those who have wronged us (Mark 11:25, 26), and to love them (Matthew 5:44). It is for our good that we forgive. Holding on to anger and unforgiveness toward someone is like taking poison and waiting for them to die. Because of our sinful nature the reality is that we are unable to forgive and love our enemies. We may do it intellectually, but our pride and selfishness will not allow us to forgive from the heart. In these cases the same principle must be followed. Jesus got the victory over the temptation not to forgive and His victory can be ours. Jesus was also victorious over the temptation not to love those who abused Him. This victory can also be ours as well. How can we allow Jesus to live out in our life forgiveness and love toward someone who has hurt us deeply? Let’s use the example of a person named Jim who has hurt you. You can simply say, “Lord I am a sinner and cannot forgive Jim or love him. So I give up trying. I ask You to manifest Your forgiveness and love toward Jim through me. I trust You, and rest in the fact that You are doing this right now. Thank You Lord for the forgiveness and love you are manifesting in me at this very moment.” If you do this you will experience Jesus’ forgiveness and love in your heart toward Jim. This will happen without you struggling to gain the victory. Remember, the victory was already gained by Christ’s perfect life and death on the cross. You simply have to choose to allow Jesus to manifest His victory in and through you, and believe that He will. I can also say from experience that you will feel the compassion of Jesus for the person you are asking Him to forgive and love through you. You will feel within yourself the desire to pray for them and perhaps even with tears. In this manner Jesus’ character, love, virtues become a integral part of our life. Choose and believe, choose and believe—that is the Christian’s part in obtaining the victory over every temptation and sin. Choosing means we give God our will on any given temptation. Where most Christians err is that they think giving God their will means they are to also exert their “will power” in order to obey. We are to give our will and let God provide the power by Christ living in us and manifesting Himself in and through us.

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Emotional Healing Needed The Lord led me to understand and write the book, Spirit Baptism & Deliverance, before He led me to understand the truths I am sharing in this book. When I came to understand these truths about Christ giving us the victory I at first questioned why the Lord had led me to understand and share teachings on emotional healing, which are in my book on deliverance. The truth of Christ living out His life of victory in us seemed to be all we needed to understand and practice in order to have victory over temptation. I questioned; “Why is emotional healing necessary?” The Lord then clarified the issues to me, and showed the relationship between emotional healing and letting Christ live out His life of victory in us. I came to understand that at times there is deep emotional damage in one’s life, especially from one’s childhood, that can “get in the way” or inhibit us from entering fully into the experience of letting Christ manifest His righteous obedience in and through us. Therefore, emotional healing became an important part of the process of the Christian growing to the point where Christ can live out His life of victory consistently in the believer’s life. Once the emotional issues are healed and removed the way is open for the fullest manifestation of Christ in the life. Hence, if you feel you have emotional wounds that are causing you to feel angry, depressed, anxious, fearful, etc. I suggest you read my book, Spirit Baptism & Deliverance; especially the chapters “Emotional Healing” and “Experiencing God’s Love.” When I give seminars on the baptism of the Holy Spirit I always include presentations on emotional healing along with the teaching in this book of abiding in Christ and righteousness by faith. Also, remember that Christian growth is a process. Don’t become discouraged if you are not where you want to be in living the consistently victorious Christian life. God knows your heart, and that it is your desire to be faithful to Him. He will continue to lead you closer and closer into relationship with Himself, which will result in greater and greater victories through Christ living in you. Thorns in the Flesh The truth of giving our will to God and trusting Him to give us the victory is presented when Paul describes his struggle with the “thorn” in his flesh.

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“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthinas 12:7-10 Many things can be thorns in the flesh. Paul lists some of his; infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, distresses. Paul prayed for God to remove it. God said no. Why? God’s grace was all Paul needed in order to deal with the thorn. God also gave a very important truth when He said, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The more weak we know ourselves to be, the sooner we stop trying to exert our puny strength to overcome a thorny temptation in our life, the sooner we will begin experiencing God’s mighty power in our life. Our own exertion of effort to over come a temptation actually gets in the way of God’s power to deliver. You see, when we do that we are looking to our strength and ability to over come even though we think we are also depending on God to “help” us. God wants to do much more than “help” us. He is the victory. Christ is our deliverance from temptation. When we back off from such efforts and get ourselves out of the way, then Christ can begin manifesting Himself in and through us. You have probably heard the saying, “Let go and let God.” This is what that saying means. This is why the Lord will leave some thorns of temptation in your life. I am sure you have prayed for God to remove these thorns of besetting sins. They have brought such discouragement and defeat in your life. However, God leaves them because He wants you to learn the lesson that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. When you begin experiencing Christ’s deliverance in you then you along with Paul will declare, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

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Thank You for the Thorns! You will come to the point that you actually thank God for the thorns in your life. Why; it is because of them that you came to experience the amazing delivering power of Christ. Because of them Christ has become even more precious to you. You have found Him giving you ever present victories over your temptations, and your praises of Him fill your heart. You also rejoice in the thorns because they are opportunities for God’s glory to shine forth through you as Christ manifests His life in and through you. They are opportunities for you to become more and more like Christ in those areas of your life as He manifests Himself more and more in your life. This is what James was speaking of when he wrote: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience [endurance]. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 You will then experience what Paul describes “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). Even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances you will be able to rejoice because Jesus is manifesting Himself in you. Your faith in Christ develops an endurance that will lead to Christ manifesting Himself in you fully. Christ Manifest in the Flesh You are the temple of God and it is His desire to “dwell in you and walk in you” (2 Corinthians 6:16). Jesus wants to live our His life in you. He wants to manifest all His virtues, character and obedience in and through you. If you choose to turn from your temptations and trust Him to manifest Himself He will. In fact, He will become so much a part of your mind and life that Christ through you will be once again manifest in the flesh; in your flesh. Ellen White describes this experience. “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God, as

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it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” Desire of Ages, p.668 These words describe those who are ready to meet Jesus when He returns. When obeying Him they will be simply carrying out their own impulses. Why, because Christ is fully manifest in and through them. Their life will be a life of continual obedience. Why; because they are allowing Christ to live out His life in them continually. This is the high and holy calling God is giving to you today. This is not a call to try harder or put forth more effort to obey. It is a call to be filled with His Spirit, choose to obey Him in all things, and let Christ manifest Himself in and through you. When you say yes to His call and learn how to let Christ live out His life in you your Christian life will no longer be a burden. This is what Christ spoke of recorded in the gospel of Matthew. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 An Illustration Perhaps the following illustration, though imperfect, will help in understanding what happens when we daily experience the abiding of Christ in our life. Picture two pieces of cloth that are placed side by side parallel to each other. One cloth is white, which represents the Christian covered with the “white” righteousness of Christ though not 100 percent reflecting His character yet. The other cloth is saturated with liquid blue dye, which represents Christ. The blue dye symbolizes His character, likes, dislikes, virtues, etc. As the blue cloth comes into contact with the white cloth the blue dye liquid begins seeping into and through the white cloth. As long as they stay in close contact the white cloth will continue to become more and more blue. In time only blue is seen. The blue dye has completely saturated the white cloth. In this illustration we see that the white cloth did not work at becoming blue. It simply stayed in intimate contact with the blue cloth. As pointed

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out previously, the same principle applies to us. Our part is to choose to stay intimately close to Christ and believe He will live out His life in us. Though far from a perfect analogy this illustration somewhat represents what happens when we stay connected with Christ, and allow Him to live out His life in and through us. His life, character, virtues, etc. become more and more a part of our life. In time only Christ will be seen. That is the experience Ellen White wrote about with the words “when obeying Him we will be but carrying out our own impulses,” and “our life will be a life of continual obedience.” That will be the experience of all who are ready to meet Jesus when He returns. Referring to those who seek to serve God Ellen White wrote: “The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 306 Here we are told that the believer has Christ’s very life through the Holy Spirit’s presence in his life, and that the Spirit brings about marvelous changes in the heart and mind of the believer. Then in another place she explains this amazing miracle of transformation further. “When His words of instruction have been received, and have taken possession of us, Jesus is to us an abiding presence, controlling our thoughts, and ideas and actions. … It is no more we that live, but Christ that liveth in us, and he is the hope of glory. Self is dead, but Christ is a living Saviour.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 389 Ellen White was very clear on the matter. She clearly states here that it is Jesus’ abiding presence that controls our thoughts, ideas and actions. If we choose to believe that He will do this, and believe our sinful nature’s power over us is dead, then Christ will most definitely live out His life in us. It is just that simple! As this process continues in the believer’s life he who, for example, previously always had impure thoughts whenever he saw a woman, especially if she was scantily dressed, will now have only pure thoughts when he sees such a woman. In situations where anger would have arisen in the past,

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there is no anger now. Where certain unhealthy foods would have triggered a craving, now there is no craving. These are examples of how much Christ will be manifested in the believer’s life that chooses to let Him do so. The power of the sinful nature will be totally subdued and Christ’s sinless nature will be totally dominant in the life. Be Enlightened In short, whatever attitudes or behavior the Lord asks us to exhibit He will manifest in and through us if we choose to let Him and believe He will. This requires us to be aware of the attitudes and behaviors God wants us to exhibit. We find this instruction in the Word of God. Such sections as Christ’s Sermon on the Mount clearly reveals to us God’s will for us in many situations of life. The Sermon on the Mount sets the standard very high; impossibly high for us to attain by our own efforts no matter how hard we try. This standard will be met only as Christ lives out this standard through us. Paul actually points this out in his letter to the Romans. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3, 4 NIV In these verses Paul tells us that it is impossible for sinful man to fulfill the righteous requirements of God’s law. However, because Christ came in the flesh, obeyed the law perfectly and fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law He condemned sin breaking its power. Therefore, through Christ the “righteous requirements of the law” can be “fully met in us” who do not yield to our sinful nature, but allow the Spirit to manifest obedience in us. New Covenant Promise What I am presenting in this chapter is how God fulfills the new covenant promise. In the new covenant God says He will write His law on our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8:8-10). Our part is to choose to allow Him to do it. God foretold through the prophet Ezekiel that He would do this.

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“Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:25-27 The New Testament confirms this promise in such texts as the following: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 Note that it is God who “performs” this work. Paul presents this same truth in his first letter to the Thessalonians. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Again Paul is clear; it is God who does the sanctifying. Our part is to choose to allow Him to perform that work within our spirit, soul and body. Lighten Up Every Christian who is not experiencing deliverance from temptation through Christ, but is trying to do it through their own efforts asking God to add His power to their efforts is not experiencing the “light burden” Jesus is referring to in Matthew 11:28, 29. Instead, their life is weighed down with frustration, bewilderment, and feelings of defeat. Jesus calls us to come to Him with this burden. If you learn how to do that you will find “rest,” and your walk with the Lord will become much “easier” and “lighter.” Why; because Jesus is giving you His victory and you are resting in Him. Before I came to personally understand and experience the reality of abiding in Christ and allowing Him to manifest Himself in and through me I did not understand these words of Christ. For me the Christian life was a burden and obedience was not easy. Once I came to understand and

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experience Christ’s abiding presence then I found His words to be true— “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” He offers the same abiding experience to all who believe in Him. Stay in Touch This kind of victory in Christ requires us to be in moment-by-moment communion with Him. Remember what David wrote, “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8). David knew the necessity of the Lord being “always before him.” We must not let our communion with Jesus be broken. We can also see that the victory Jesus is offering requires a moment-bymoment surrender to Him. Whenever a temptation comes we must surrender it to Him no matter how much we have enjoyed yielding to it in the past. Complete 100 percent surrender is the only way to complete 100 percent victory. Ellen White wrote of the necessity of moment-by-moment communion and surrender with the words: “We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to him moment-by-moment we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.” Desire of Ages, p. 324 Daily receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is also essential for our communion with Christ to remain unbroken. Ellen White confirmed this when she wrote: “We must have a living connection with God. We must be clothed with power from on high by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That we may reach a higher standard; for there is help for us in no other way.” Review and Herald, April 5, 1892 We are clearly told that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is what gives us a “living connection” with God. We are also told that the Spirit’s infilling is absolutely necessary for this to happen.

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Charles Finney’s Understanding The well known 19th century revivalist and evangelist, Charles Finney, clearly understood the gospel teaching of how the Christian overcomes sin. He also realized that many Christian leaders of his day who did not understand this truth were actually teaching sanctification by works. Finney wrote: “In all my Christian life, I have been pained to find so many Christians living in the legal bondage described in the seventh chapter of Romans—a life of sinner, resolving to reform and falling again. And what is particularly saddening, and even agonizing, is that many ministers and leading Christians give completely false instruction on how to overcome sin. The directions that are generally given on this subject, I am sorry to say, amount to this: ‘take your sins in detail, resolve to abstain from them, and fight against them, if need be with prayer and fasting, until you have overcome them. Set your will firmly against a relapse into sin, pray and struggle, and resolve that you will not fall—and persist in this until you form the habit of obedience and break all your sinful habits.’ To be sure, it is generally added. ‘In this conflict, you must not depend upon your own strength but pray for the help of God.’ In a word, much of the teaching, both of the pulpit and the Christian press really amounts to this: sanctification is by works, and not by faith.” Power From God, p.119-120 When the Christian struggles with sin in this manner he is actually focusing on the sin and not on Christ, which will never bring the victory. Paul instructs us that the victory over sin and even our besetting sins happens as we “look unto Jesus” who begins and completes the work of victory in our life (Hebrews 12:1, 2). Finney wrote of what happens when we struggle with the temptation. “This, it will be perceived, is directing the attention to the overt act of sin, its source or occasions. Resolving and fighting against it fastens the attention on the sin and its source, and diverts it entirely from Christ.” Ibid., 120

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Finney then goes on to point out that love is the real issue. Paul tells us that “love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). He does not say that struggling with the temptation in the fulfilling of the law. “Now, what is resolved against this religion of resolutions and efforts to suppress sinful habits and form holy habits? ‘Love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). But do we produce love by resolution? Do we eradicate selfishness by resolution? No, indeed. We may suppress this or that expression or manifestation of selfishness by resolving not to do this or that and by praying and struggling against it. We may resolve upon an outward obedience and work ourselves up to the letter of an obedience to God’s commandments. But to eradicate selfishness from the heart by resolution is an absurdity.” Ibid.,121 All such efforts to overcome sin by fighting it will end in failure every time and will never produce love in our heart. Finney puts it this way. “All our battling with sin in the outward life by the force of resolution only ends in making us whitened sepulchers. All our battling with desire by the force of resolution is of no avail.” Ibid., 122 There is only one way to overcome sin in our life. That way is to have faith that Christ will give us the victory. Jesus is the author and finisher of our victory over sin. He is the “way, truth and life” (John 14:6). Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Finney described how the Christian obtains the victory through faith in Christ in the following way. “The fact is that it is simply by faith that we receive the Spirit of Christ to work in us ‘to will and to do [according] to his good pleasure’ (Philippians 2:13). He sheds abroad His own life in our hearts and thereby kindles ours. (See Romans 5:5.) “Every victory over sin is by faith in Christ. Whenever the mind is diverted from Christ by resolving and fighting against sin, whether we are aware of it or not, we are acting in our own strength; we are rejecting the help of Christ and are under a specious delusion. Nothing but the life and energy of the Spirit of Christ within us can

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save us from sin, and trust is the uniform and universal condition of the working of this saving energy within us.” Ibid., 123 Finney was well aware of the pervasiveness of the teaching common in his day, and I would say in our day as well, that the Christian must struggle with temptation and sin in order to have the victory. It is because this false view of victory was commonly taught in Finney’s day that he wrote: “It is rooted so deeply that one of the hardest lessons for the human heart to learn is to renounce self-dependence and trust wholly in Christ. When we open the door by implicit trust, He enters in and takes up His abode with us and in us. By shedding abroad His love, he quickens our whole soul into harmony with Himself, and in this way—and in this way alone—he purifies our hearts through faith.” Ibid., 124 Finney concludes his discussion of victory in and through Christ with the words: “Oh, that it could be understood that the whole of the spiritual life that is in any man is received directly from the Spirit of Christ by faith, as the branch receives its life from the vine! (See John 15:4-5.) Away with this religion of resolutions! It is a snare of death. Away with this effort to make the life holy while the heart does not have in it the love of God!” Ibid., 126 God’s Gift to You When Adam sinned, Satan thought he had taken a most precious thing away from God; man who God had created in His own image. Satan hated God and the man God had created. Satan knew God had created man to enter into a close, intimate relationship with Himself; creating him a little lower than “elohim” Himself (Psalm 8:5, 6). However, man was so precious to God that He made a decision back in eternity to save mankind from the terrible consequences of sin; eternal death and separation from God (Revelation 13:8). So God devised a plan where Christ would come to this earth as a man (John 1:1-3, 14), live a perfectly sinless, righteous life (1 Peter 2:21-23) and die the death we deserve (Isaiah 53:5, 6).

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In essence this is what God says to you. “I love you and want you to live with me forever. However, because of your sin you deserve to die. Therefore, I will come and die the death you deserve. Also, I cannot take sinners to heaven to live with me so I will come to earth and live the righteous, sinless life you are unable to live. So, here, receive the forgiveness I offer to you (1 John 1:9), and take my righteousness, which I lived for you, and be covered with my righteousness (Jeremiah 23:26, Romans 9:30-32). I also know that you must still live on earth until Jesus returns, and that you are unable to live a righteous life even though you want to (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10). Therefore, I will come and live in you, and actually live out my righteous obedience in and through you that I lived when I became one of you in the person of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27). You see, this is what Paul meant when he wrote: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 Paul could live a life of faithful obedience to God because Christ was living in him. Paul’s faithful obedience was the result of the “faith” or “faithfulness” of the Son of God Who was living in Him. Paul had learned how to let Christ live out His faithfulness to God in and through him; the same faithful life He lived when He walked this earth. This, in part, is why Christ had to become a man (Romans 8:3, 4). Mankind needs a human righteousness. God knew man could not live a righteous life due to his sinful nature. So God Himself came and lived a faithful, righteous, human life in the person of Jesus Christ. If we let Him, Jesus will live out His faithfulness to God in and through us. This is true righteousness by faith. For there is no other righteousness in this earth except the righteousness of Christ that He lived 2,000 years ago, and will continue to live out in the life of those who believe in Him. Ellen White put it this way: “The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed

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effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin.” Desire of Ages, p. 324 (emphasis added) I pray that all who read this book will experience the fullness of Christ in them by allowing Him to live out His faithful, righteous life in them. May you allow Him to manifest Himself in every aspect of your life. Once you discover this amazing truth your life will never be the same again. Your life will be filled with joy and peace. You will see victories before thought impossible to attain. Jesus will be everything to you. You will know from experience what Paul meant when he wrote, “Christ in you the hope of glory.”

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Chapter Seven The Vine and the Branch

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esus gave another example to illustrate the concept of abiding in Him, and our total and complete dependence on Him for everything. It is the illustration of the vine and branch found in John chapter fifteen. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

A Real, Living Connection Christ lives and abides in us as we daily receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That abiding is very real. Our connection with Christ is just as real and living as is the connection between the vine and branch. In order for the branch to bring forth fruit it must continually be in living connection with the vine. So also with the Christian; if we are to bring forth fruit of obedience we must maintain a living connection with Christ through the Holy Spirit. Using the illustration Christ gave; in nature the branch receives its life from the vine. It receives the nutrients, the sap; the very life it needs from the vine. Once the branch is attached to the vine, whether naturally or grafted in, it will bring forth fruit as a result of the living connection with the vine. The branch does not work at bringing forth fruit. It simply stays in connection and fruit comes forth. If the branch becomes disconnected from the vine it ceases to bring forth fruit and will die. That is why Christ said, “Without me ye can do nothing.”

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By Faith, Not Works The example of the vine and branch nicely illustrates the futility of the believer trying to bring forth fruit of obedience. As I previously described in this book, the usual Christian experience follows the pattern of the individual accepting Christ and then trying to obey Christ’s commands asking God to help him in his effort to obey. All such effort will fall far short of the obedience the sincere believer wants. Andrew Murray in his book, Abiding in Christ, puts it this way. “The idea they [many Christians] have of grace is this—that their conversion and pardon are God’s work, but that now, in gratitude to God, it is their work to live as Christians and follow Jesus. There is always the thought of a work that has to be done, and even though they pray for help, still the work is theirs. They fail continually, and become hopeless; and the despondency only increases the helplessness.” Abiding in Christ, p.24 Many, especially us Adventists who know many things the Lord wants us to do, will ask; “What then are we supposed to do? Doesn’t obedience require effort on our part? Don’t we need to work hard at following Christ in obedience?” My answer to those questions is; consider Christ’s illustration of the vine and branch. That illustration in itself should indicate to us that there is something wrong with the concept that we must work hard to obey Christ. No, our part is to stay in living connection with Christ, to choose to obey and then ask Christ to manifest His obedience in and through us believing He will do just that. Andrew Murray described this in the following way. “And if the question be asked, ‘But surely there is something for us to do?’ the answer is, ‘Our doing and working are but the fruit of Christ’s work in us.’ It is when the soul becomes utterly passive, looking and resting on what Christ is to do, that its energies are stirred to their highest activity, that we work most effectually because we know that He works in us.” Ibid., 25 The truth of the matter is, if we work at attaining the righteous behavior the Lord wants us to experience in our life, we are actually practicing a form of legalism. We are looking to self and our own efforts to do what only

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Christ can do for us. I think many Christians understand legalism when it come to the justification aspect of receiving Christ’s righteousness by faith, but do not understand legalism in the matter of sanctification; Christ’s righteousness being lived out in our life. Righteousness in the Christian’s life in both justification and sanctification are both received by faith; not by works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Jesus Most Precious When we understand this aspect of righteous by faith, the abiding in Christ aspect of sanctification and obedience, Jesus will become even more precious to us. His victory in the flesh becomes our victory over temptation when we by faith ask Him to live out His victory in us. When tempted we must learn to immediately turn to Christ, and let Him manifest His obedience in and through us over what ever temptation we are facing. Our victory has already been obtained by Christ 2,000 years ago. That is why He became a man and lived a perfectly obedient life overcoming all temptation (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:21, 22). By faith in Christ we have His justifying righteousness covering us. By faith in Christ we have His sanctifying righteous obedience lived out in and through us. These are two precious aspects of righteousness by faith. Both are Christ’s righteousness. His justifying righteousness is imputed to us. His sanctifying righteousness is imparted to us. We receive both by faith. When we understand these two aspects of righteousness by faith we will see that it is Jesus from beginning to end in our Christian experience. Then all man’s boasting will be laid in the dust. This is why the apostle Paul wrote: “That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 You see, we are to receive everything from Christ just as the branch receives everything it needs from the vine. Christ is to be our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification and our redemption. If we stay continually connected to Him through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, daily feeding on His Word, and moment-by-moment prayer we will receive these

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blessings from Him; not by working to receive them, but by believing we have them. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 Jesus paid it all. Jesus did it all. Our part is to simply believe. When we experience the righteousness that comes by faith then all the glory goes to Christ and none to ourselves. That is why in God’s kingdom all crowns will be cast at Jesus’ feet.

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Chapter Eight The Faith Struggle

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n order to experience continual, unbroken abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in us there must be continual 100% surrender to God’s will. God may lead you into an experience where this is not easy. The challenge may seem too difficult. At such times it is important to remember that you are in the situation by God’s leading. Christ’s Example Christ’s experience in the Garden of Gethsemane after sharing the Passover with His disciples and instituting the communion service was such an occasion. Throughout His life Christ had obeyed His heavenly Father implicitly by allowing the Father to manifest Himself through Him. John wrote of Jesus: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 Jesus allowed the Father to manifest His glory throughout His life. He had never turned away from following the truth of God’s Word or the way the Father led Him. Now in the garden He faced the most difficult challenge of following the Father’s will. Three times He prayed that the “cup” of suffering be taken from Him and each time He yielded to the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39-44). The Father understood the struggle Jesus was going through, but He could not remove it. It was all in His divine will for the events to transpire. Jesus knew He was being led by His Father. The will of His Father was clear

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to Him. Therefore, He willingly submitted even though the submission was very difficult at that moment. In prayer Christ gained the victory over the crisis of the cross He was facing. Once the victory was gained in prayer His obedience unto death was assured. When we face such times of crisis under God’s leading it is essential we follow Christ’s example. In prayer we will find the strength and courage to move forward in faith as we continue to abide in Christ knowing that He will see us through, and will manifest Himself in and through us all the way to victory. Why Is This Happening? There will be experiences we will be led to go through in this life that we may not understand why God is allowing them to happen. At such times it is vital we realize that Christ still resides in us and will manifest Himself in and through us during any crisis. We must rest in that fact if we desire to maintain His peace. Paul was called to go through many trials and tribulations. He lists a few of them when he shares his thorn in the flesh experience (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He asked God to remove them, but God said, “No,” to his request. The reason was that through these difficulties God’s power and character would rest on Paul and shine out through him. Some of the thorns Paul encountered were according to his own words: infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distress for Christ’s sake. These experiences made Paul feel weak, helpless and vulnerable. He realized the value in all this when he stated, “when I am weak, then am I strong;” meaning God’s strength would be manifested in and through him when he realized his utter weakness. At first these difficulties challenged him and were confusing; he didn’t understand. That is why he prayed three times for God to remove them. Then when he came to see the reason God left them in his life he could say, “most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” He could actually thank God for these thorns. Paul came to realize these “thorns” were opportunities for God by His power to more fully manifest the character of Christ in and through him. These thorny experiences and trials are not circumstances we would choose for ourselves. However, God in His great wisdom chooses them

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for us. They are His means of discipline. In Hebrews we read about God’s discipline. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye edure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? … Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:6, 7, 11 These difficult situations are times that try our faith; we are tempted to distrust God—to question His leading and loving care for us. In this context we are told: “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:3, 4 The striving mentioned here is the faith challenge we will face at such times of trial. The trial of the cross was not easy for Christ to go through. He prayed three times for it to be removed. His faith was challenged, yet He remained faithful to His Father. During our times of trial we will face such challenges to trust God and rest in the fact that He will fulfill His word to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). If we remain faithful to Him through the difficulty it will bring forth the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” in our life. Utter Exhaustion and Eyes Turned Away The experience of Elijah’s great victory on Mount Carmel, and his fleeing from Jezebel’s threat also illustrates a crisis of faith (1 Kings 18-19). In this story we find important lessons concerning the necessity of continuing our close communion with God. Satan took advantage of Elijah’s physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. He could stand before hundreds of pagan priests, call fire down from God in a challenge of who was the true God, but the threats of enraged Jezebel undid him and he fled for his life. In the process of becoming like Christ we too may go through times where everything seems to come in on us and we feel overwhelmed. When

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this happens it is important we remember what is happening. Feelings of being overwhelmed are caused by us loosing our hold on God, and looking to ourselves or the situation. Every time we take our sights off Christ we will begin to sink in failure just as Peter began sinking in the sea when he looked to the waves and not Christ. Even though Peter was walking on the water at Christ’s command, the threatening storm and waves put fear in his heart. We too will experience fear when under Christ’s leading we find ourselves in the midst of a terrible storm of life and we take our eyes off Him. Another lesson from Elijah’s experience relates to the importance of following God’s laws of health. As Seventh-day Adventists we have been aware of God’s counsels on health for over one hundred years. The reason following these is important is that their neglect can lead us to weaken in our hold Christ. For example, if you consistently don’t get enough rest you will become overly tired, mentally fatigued and spiritually, emotionally and physically weakened. This will affect your faith relationship with Christ, which could lead to a crisis of faith. The experience of Job certainly illustrates the faith struggle when the Lord allows crisis to come into our life. Job did not know what had transpired between God and Satan. Crisis after crisis came upon him—loss of material possessions, loss of family, loss of health. He received no understanding or encouragement from his wife or friends. In bitterness his wife told him to curse God and die. His friends kept telling Job that these events were essentially judgments from God because of sin in his life. Yet, through all this Job kept his faith and declared his trust in God with the words, “though slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). The Christian life is not without its challenges, difficulties, disappointment, and tragic experiences. However, if we learn to rest in Jesus we can have an abiding peace; a peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7). This is the experience the Lord wants to lead us into. For this kind of faith and resting in Christ will be necessary for all who enter into the great tribulation or time of trouble. All earthly support will be removed. Many friends and family members will turn against them. However, if they have learned the truth of abiding in Christ all fear will be gone, and the “faith” and “faithfulness” of Jesus will be manifested in their life. Then the trials they experience during that difficult time will only serve to further prepare them for Christ’s glorious return.

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God Understands One important lesson to remember in Elijah’s story is that God understood the faith crisis he was experiencing. God gave him time to rest and miraculously fed him. He allowed Elijah time to be free from responsibility. Elijah walked for miles giving him opportunity to exercise in the open air. God gave Elijah time to recover physically, emotionally and spiritually. Then at the right time God revealed to Elijah that He was sovereign God reigning over even the elements of nature; earthquake, wind and fire. Then God spoke to Elijah calling him back to ministry. After Elijah’s recovery he served His Lord faithfully until the day of his being taken into heaven without seeing death. The Causes Every faith struggle in the Bible has lessons to teach us. From God’s Word as well in our own life’s experiences we find that faith struggles happen for numerous reasons. We may struggle over an issue that is difficult for us to move forward on under God’s direction, which is similar to Christ’s experience in the garden. Difficult situations may arise in our life and service for the Lord, which we don’t understand. We may like Paul ask God to remove them, but He doesn’t seem to hear our prayer. If we are not careful this can lead to a crisis of faith and trust. Or we may have been practicing poor health habits and we are weakened physically, emotionally and spiritually. This too can lead to a struggle and crisis of faith. The important thing in all these situations is to be aware that these kinds of crisis will come our way in our walk with the Lord. Don’t let them totally overwhelm you. Sometimes all you can do is wait for God to lead you through them. He will get you through, and He will also fulfill His promise to work them all out for your good (Romans 8:28). Remember too, God understands the struggles you go through. As with Elijah, He will never leave you or forsake you at such times. In fact, I believe that the times of greatest struggle in our life are the times we have His most special care. That certainly was the case for Elijah and it is the case for every Christian as well.

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Chapter Nine God’s Commandments and Abiding in Christ

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bedience to God’s commandments and abiding in Christ go hand-in-hand. You cannot have one without the other. Jesus said:

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10

When we abide in Christ and He abides in us the Ten Commandments will become an integral part of our life. Jesus and God’s law are inseparable. In fact it was Jesus before His incarnation Who gave Moses the Ten Commandments. The God who gave the commandments revealed Himself to Moses as the “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus claimed to be the “I AM” of the Old Testament (John 8:58). Comparing 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 and Nehemiah 9:12-14, it is very clear that it was Jesus who came down in the cloud on Mt. Sinai and met with Moses. The Holy Spirit was also very much involved when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. In fact, it was the Spirit Who wrote the commandments on the tables of stone. This becomes clear when we compare Jesus’ statements where He equated the “finger of God” with the “Spirit of God” (Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20). Hence, the same Holy Spirit Who wrote the Ten Commandments on tables of stone will today write God’s law on the heart of God’s Spirit filled children (2 Corinthians 3:3). This is God’s new covenant promise to the believer (Hebrews 8:10). Jesus Magnified the Law Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would magnify the law, (Isaiah 42:21). Jesus lived the law of God out in His life. He clearly stated His purpose was

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to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, not destroy or do away with it (Matthew 5:17). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus magnified many aspects of God’s law. He clarified the requirements of the commandments by revealing their deeper applications. For example, He equated lustful thoughts with the commandment not to commit adultery and revengeful anger with the commandment not to kill Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28). Required Attitudes and Behaviors Revealed In Paul’s letters we find many instructions concerning the attitudes and behaviors the Lord wants us to have exhibited in our life. In Ephesians 4:24-32 Paul gives very implicit instruction concerning behavior. Why is so much space given in the Bible informing us of the behavior God wants us to follow? The reason is that we need to know the attitudes and behaviors He wants us to have so we can be aware of situations when we are tempted to behave wrongly. If we did not know God’s will in these areas we would not choose to let Christ manifest that aspect of His character in us. For example, if a believer does not know it is wrong to hold onto anger and say something critical when someone wrongs him he would not turn his thoughts away from the anger and critical spirit he begins to feel. He would not choose to let Christ manifest His “non-anger” and “noncritical spirit” in the situation because he was unaware that was wrong. And so, he would not have reflected Christ’s character in that particular situation. He would not have begun developing Christ’s character within himself in that area of his life. This is why it is vital that the Christian become knowledgeable of God’s will for him as revealed in the Bible. Without this knowledge he will not be able to allow Christ to manifest Himself fully in his life, and will fall short of revealing Christ in his attitudes and behaviors. Christ Lives out Love When Christ lives in us He will seek to live out His life in and through us. This means that He will seek to live out the Ten Commandments in our life just as He did when He walked this earth (Psalm 40:8). Also, the Ten Commandments are in-separately connected to love. The first four reveal to us how we love God, and the last six tell us how we are to love our fellow man. Hence, Christ abiding in us, the Ten Commandments, and intimately knowing Jesus are all closely related. You

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cannot have one without the others. John wrote of this close connection in his first letter. “And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6 John clearly links intimately knowing Jesus, the Ten Commandments, love and abiding in him. He says that if we are abiding in Christ we will be “walking” or living as He lived. Why, because Jesus will be living out His life in us. Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians the purpose of our calling in Christ. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 If we resist Jesus seeking to live out the Ten Commandments in our life we are not abiding in Him, and failing to fulfill the purpose of our calling; to do “good works.” These works are works of faith, which happen by allowing Jesus to manifest them in and through us. When we are experiencing the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” we are becoming free from the “law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). When we “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” the “righteousness of the law” will be “fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:4). Obedience to God’s law will be revealed throughout our life in thought, word and deed. Our love for God and our fellow man will grow stronger and stronger, and “love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). Ellen White describes this in the following statement. “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission

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is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” Desire of Ages, p. 641 The Bible tells us that God is love, and who ever does not love does not know God (1 John 4:8). Here we learn that love is central to everything in the Christian’s life. Why; because if God is truly abiding in the Christian love will be present. Love will permeate every aspect of his life; his thoughts, words and deeds. This happens only as the believer is daily filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, Romans 5:5). When the Holy Spirit is present the fruit of the Spirit will be present (Galatians 5:22, 23). The first fruit listed is love. The other fruit will be present to the degree love is present. The more of the love of God the Christian has in his heart the more joy, peace, faith, etc he will have. When we are abiding in Christ and He is abiding in us He will manifest His love, His joy, His peace (John 15:11; 14:27). Knowing this truth it becomes clear how futile it is to try to lovingly obey God by our own efforts. Only as Jesus is literally living in us, and manifesting His love in and through us will true loving obedience take place in our life. Obeying the Ten Commandments is central to God’s love being manifested in and through us. When Jesus walked this earth he obeyed God’s Ten Commandments perfectly. When He lives in the Christian He will seek to manifest obedience to God’s commandments in the believer’s life. That is why Jesus said: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” John 15:10 The Ten Commandments are actually the outworking of love in the human’s life on planet earth. The first four commandments reveal how we show love to God. The last six tell us how we are to manifest love to others. That is why when Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment in the law He replied with the words: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

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God’s law could have actually been expressed in one word; “love.” Therefore, since “God is love” the Ten Commandments are a transcript of His character. When obedience to the Ten Commandments in manifested in and through the Christian’s life he is manifesting the very character of God, which is the character of Christ. Hence, when Ellen White writes: “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69, she is actually saying that when Christ comes He will be manifesting in and through His church perfect obedience to God’s Ten Commandments since they define the character of Christ. Does this mean that they will have learned how to work hard at keeping the commandments? No. They will have learned how to allow Christ to manifest His perfect commandment keeping in and through them. This is also why John describes God’s last “remnant” people as “keeping the commandments of God” (Revelation 12:17). This truth is also taught in the Old Testament. The psalmist wrote: “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165 When Jesus abides in the Christian God’s love is in the heart and God’s law is deeply imbedded there. When God’s love and law are in the heart self, pride, jealousy, etc. are all subdued and nothing shall offend. No word or action of another will be taken personal. Ellen White wrote of this also. “It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.” Mount of Blessing, p. 16 Lovers to the End Those ready to meet Jesus when He comes will love just as He loves. They will love the Lord with all their heart, and their neighbor as themselves. They will have allowed Jesus to manifest His love in and though them to the world. God’s Ten Commandments are foundational to revealing that love in their lives.

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Their relationship with Jesus will be so close and intimate that they would rather die than resist Him living out His life in them. The close, meaningful relationship they have with their Lord means everything to them. They would never do anything to damage that relationship. This is why even under the penalty of death if they don’t receive the mark of the beast, which involves disobeying God’s commandments, they will remain faithful to God. The bond of love between them and their Lord is unbreakable.

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Chapter Ten Beware of Presumption

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e are clearly warned in the Bible against being presumptuous. In the Old Testament we are told:

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

If we become over confident we will be in danger of letting go of our hold on Christ. Things will come in to interfere with our moment-by-moment communion with Him. If this happens we will surely fall into sin. We must constantly recognize our need of Christ’s continual presence in our life and constantly depend on Him for victory. Beware of the Harmless This is why we must guard against many activities that others may think are harmless, and they may be harmless in and of themselves. However, if they interfere with our continual communion with Christ then we need to let them go. For instance, I never tell people to throw out their television. I do advise them to pray about its use. If it begins taking so much of their time and attention that they are not as able to keep their focus on Christ as they should then they had better do something about it. This principle would apply to many things in our life; the music we listen to, the books we read, the entertainments we enjoy, how we use the computer, etc. Don’t Play on the Devil’s Playground Paul warned us of the problem of presumption when he wrote:

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“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 For instance, if you are tempted with alcohol then it would be presumptuous for you to frequent a tavern even if you do so just to be with your fellow workers from your job. If you have a problem with lustful thoughts then you must guard against placing yourself in situations where such thoughts could be stimulated. You must guard what you see, read, hear, etc. If you are having a problem with inappropriate feelings for someone other than your spouse it would be presumptuous for you to try to set up opportunities to be with that person even if it was just an innocent activity. If you have a struggle with over-eating you must not allow yourself to see things that stimulate that desire or place yourself in places where it will be difficult for you to remain faithful to the Lord in that area of your life. Doing these things would be like playing on the devil’s playground. Beware of self deceit in the area of presumption. Your sinful nature along with Satan’s temptations will try to lead you to place yourself in situations that will cause you to be tempted in the areas where you have your greatest struggles. If we like something we very easily rationalize reasons to do it. Such reasoning will lead to a fall. If you find yourself unexpectedly, not of your own doing, in a situation that you know appeals to your besetting sins God has allowed that to happen. He has a purpose in letting the tempting situation arise (James 1:2-4). You can rest in the assurance that you will have the victory if you allow Christ to manifest Himself in and through you in dealing with the temptation. If you do place yourself presumptuously in the way of temptation and you find yourself having difficulty overcoming the temptation you must first do all you can to remove yourself from the situation. Secondly, ask God to forgive you for presumptuously placing yourself in that situation. This closes the door to Satan’s advantage. Then allow Christ to once again manifest Himself in and through you in regard to the temptation. Elements of Victory Presumption was one of the three temptations Satan confronted Christ with in the wilderness (Matthew 4:5-7). Christ was Spirit filled (Luke 3:21-22), had not placed Himself in the difficult situation (Matthew 4:1), had been in close communion with His heavenly Father

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through fasting and prayer (Matthew 4:2), and knew the word of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Because of these essential elements in His life He obtained the victory over every temptation of Satan. We must have these same elements in our life if we want the same victory Christ had. If we neglect these important aspects of the Christian life we are being presumptuous in thinking God will over rule our negligence and give us the victory anyway. He may allow us to fall at such times of negligence in order to teach us the lesson of how important these elements are in our life. The only way to avoid presumption is to remain in very close communion with Christ. Ask Him to continually guide you and make you aware of things that are dangers for you to be involved in. He will warn you and lead you in right paths. We must also take seriously God’s call to be victorious over every temptation and sin in our life. We must not presume on God’s mercy and say, “He understands my weakness and will forgive me.” He “winks” at our ignorance (Acts 17:30), but when we come to know His will we must yield ourselves to Him on every point, and allow Christ to give us the victory. To do otherwise is presumptuous, and will lead to great loss and perhaps even eternal loss in the end.

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Chapter Eleven Abiding and Service

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ervice for the Lord can become a heavy burden at times, and filled with anxiety and stress before the Christian comes to understand and experience true abiding in Christ and His abiding in him. However, once the mystery of union with Christ is experienced everything changes. Service for the Master is a joy, and the stress and burdens are relieved. One Man’s Discovery J. Hudson Taylor, the 19th century missionary to China quoted in a previous chapter, left a record in letters he had written of the change he experienced after making this discovery. Before experiencing true abiding in Christ the responsibilities he carried were difficult for him to bear; sometimes overwhelming. Then he received a letter from a fellow missionary and friend, John McCarthy, which I quoted in the introduction of this book. God used McCarthy’s letter to open Taylor’s eyes to the marvelous truth of Christ’s abiding presence. After that Taylor was a new man in Christ. In a letter to his sister in England, Taylor wrote of his experience, and described his changed attitude when it came to service for the Lord. “As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult, but the weight and strain are all gone. The last month or more has been perhaps, the happiest of my life.” He described the blessing his new experience had been in his personal life and struggle with temptation, and the joy he now found in the Lord. Then he wrote of changes concerning his service for the Lord.

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“The sweetest part, if one may speak of one part being sweeter than another, is the rest which full identification with Christ brings. I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize this; for He, I know, is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me grace, and in the most difficult His grace is sufficient.” The burden and anxiety were now all gone. He learned the lesson of resting fully in Christ in his service for Him. He knew that Christ was living in him and would give him the wisdom, guidance and strength he needed. He now realized he was simply working with the Master and following His lead, and that Christ would provide all the grace needed to carry the load of responsibility. The Anglican clergy, H.B. Macartney of Melbourne, Australia, wrote of Taylor’s attitude in service for His Lord. “He was an object lesson in quietness. He drew from the Bank of Heaven every farthing of his daily income—‘My peace I give unto you.’ Whatever did not agitate the Savior, or ruffle His spirit was not to agitate him. The serenity of the Lord Jesus concerning any matter and at its most critical moment, this was his ideal and practical possession. He knew nothing of rush or hurry, of quivering nerves or vexation of spirit. He knew there was a peace passing all understanding, and that he could not do without it.” Macartney was amazed at the peace Taylor exhibited under all circumstances. Writing of this he continued: “…here is a man almost sixty years of age, bearing tremendous burdens, yet absolutely calm and unruffled. Oh, the pile of letters! any one of which might contain news of death, or shortness of funds, or riots or serious trouble. Yet all were opened, read and answered with the same tranquility—Christ his reason for peace, his power for calm. Dwelling in Christ he partook of His very being and resources, in the midst of and concerning the very matters in question. And he did this by an act of faith as simple as it was continuous.”

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Taylor knew Jesus was living in him and continuously rested in that fact. Knowing this truth there was no need for worry or anxiety. Referring to this biblical truth Macartney challenges all of us with the words: “Are you in a hurry, flurried, distressed? Look up! See the Man in the glory! Let the face of Jesus shine upon you—the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is he worried, troubled, distressed? There is no wrinkle on His brow, no least shade of anxiety. Yet the affairs are His as much as yours.” Ellen White’s Counsel Ellen White wrote of the great peace Jesus had when He ministered on earth. Describing His response during the storm that threatened Himself and His disciples she wrote: “When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, he was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the ‘Master of earth and sea and sky’ that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, ‘I can of Mine own self do nothing.’ John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.” Desire of Ages, p. 336 She goes on to challenge us to trust our Lord in the same manner. “As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus: and it was only when, in despair of self-dependency, they turned to Him that He could give them help. “How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there

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is One who can help us. We trust in our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain… Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best.” Ibid. When we are truly experiencing abiding in Christ, and Him abiding in us His presence is a reality. Our resting in Him will then become real, not just a theory, and it will be consistent. All fear, worry, stress in service will be gone. The burdens of ministry will be lifted. These are replaced with our resting in Jesus’ presence. As Ellen White said, “We must despair of selfdependency and turn to Christ.” Another Discovered this Amazing Truth The clergyman, Charles G. Trumbull, a prominent evangelical leader and writer in the twentieth century, is another example of the amazing change brought into the life of one who discovers the truth of abiding in Christ. His life and ministry followed the pattern of all who discover this truth. At first there are years of frustration, defeat, failure and discouragement. This brings into the life a deep sense of need; the feeling that there must be something missing in their walk with God. Then they discover the reality of oneness with Christ; abiding in Him. Trumbull along with all sincere Christians was aware of the inconsistency in his life of obedience and service for the Lord. There were times of wonderful fellowship with His Lord, and then desert experiences in his Christian walk. He wrote: “Sometimes by a single failure before temptation, sometimes by a gradual downhill process, my best experiences would be lost, and I would find myself back on the lower level. … It seemed to me that it ought to be possible for me to live habitually on a high plane of close fellowship with God, as I saw certain other men doing, and as I was not doing.” His failure to consistently overcome certain besetting sins, and the lack of power in his ministry to others greatly concerned him. He saw no results

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in his efforts to lead others to Christ. At a time when he was deeply feeling these failures he heard a message about Christ being the resource of the Christian life. God used this message to give him hope. Yet he knew he didn’t have the reality of what he saw in those who had discovered the truth of Christ’s abiding presence. He earnestly prayed for the Lord to open his eyes to the truth of abiding in Christ. God answered his prayer. Of this experience he wrote: “To begin with, I realized for the first time that the many references throughout the New Testament to Christ in you, and you in Christ, Christ our life, and abiding in Christ, are literal, actual, blessed fact, and not figures of speech… At last I realized that Jesus Christ was actually and literally within me, and even more than that: He had constituted Himself my very life, taking me into union with Himself—my body, mind, and spirit—while I still had my own identity and free will and full moral responsibility… It meant that I need never again ask Him to help me as though He were one and I another; but rather simply to do His work, His will, in me, and with me, and through me…Jesus Christ had constituted Himself my life—not as a figure of speech, remember, but as a literal, actual fact…” Jesus Dwells Literally in Us I pray that you are realizing that Jesus Christ is literally in you right now. I also pray that you will believe that He will manifest Himself in and through you to give you His obedience, wisdom, faith; everything you need to serve Him. Because of this you no longer need to be anxious about anything. Jesus will never leave you. In your service for Him He is simply ministering through you. In your obedience He is simply manifesting His obedience through you. You are to obey and minister just like Jesus did when on earth. Jesus said: “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” John 14:10 Jesus understood and experienced obedience and ministry manifested by the Father dwelling in Him and He in the Father. Everything He said

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and did was by the Father. The same is to be our experience. As we abide in Christ and He abides in us everything we say and do is to be Christ manifesting Himself in and through us. This is why there need be no fear, anxiety, worry, or burden in obedience and ministry. It is all of Jesus. We simply allow Him to do these things in and through us. This is the wonderful truth J. Hudson Taylor and Charles G. Trumbull came to understand and experience. This is the experience Jesus lived out in His life. And this is the truth Jesus wants to live out in your life as well. When the union with Christ becomes a reality in your life your ministry and service will be a joy and the words of Christ will be fulfilled through you. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12 If you believe in Him abiding in you and you in Him you will begin to see Christ manifested in your ministry as never before. Through the Holy Spirit Also, note that He said this would happen because He went to the Father. What does that have to do with Christ ministering in and through us? He explained this later in His discourse. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:16-16 As a result of Christ’s triumphant return to the Father the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. The baptism of the Holy Spirit became available to every believer in Jesus Christ. Then Jesus clarified another important truth. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18

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It is through receiving the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus lives or abides in us. It is through Spirit baptism that He ministers in and through us. Again Jesus spoke of this in another discourse. “He that believeth on me, as the scriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 John clarified what Jesus meant when he wrote: “But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:39 In these verses Jesus was referring to the river of healing that would flow from the temple of God described in Ezekiel chapter forty seven. Everywhere the river flowed it brought life and health. As Jesus lives in the Christian and church, which is God’s temple in the New Testament, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit He will carry out the same ministry He did when on earth. Our part is to believe Him and allow Him to do it through us. The Challenge of Ministry Having been in full time ministry for over 35 years, I know there is a danger of taking things into our own hands, making our own plans and asking God to bless these activities. In Christ’s service we must keep constantly in union with Him so we will be under His direction when it comes to plans, methods and ministry. He knows what He wants to do through us each day and in the months ahead. We must pray for His guidance, and then rest in the fact that He will let us know what He wants us to do. He will direct our ministry if we let Him. Then He will do His ministry through us. We see this principle illustrated in the gospel commission Jesus gave and how the Holy Spirit led in fulfilling that commission. In the commission Jesus commanded: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,

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I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19, 20 Upon hearing this gospel commission it would be logical for the apostles to conclude that the gospel should be preached in every town they passed through. However, we read in the book of Acts about how the Holy Spirit led the apostle Paul in his efforts to fulfill this commission. Of one of Paul’s missionary journey we read: “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” Acts 16:6-10 Here we see a clear example of the importance of the Christian not following his own ideas as to when, where and how to serve the Lord. It is vital that every servant of the Lord be under the Holy Spirit’s direction in his service. This happens as the believer abides in Christ and Christ abides in him. The Lord will reveal to him what to do, where to do it, when to do it and how to do it. This is why there is no anxiety or burden in service when we discover the truth of Christ’s abiding presence. This certainly does not mean that we put forth no effort to follow the Spirit’s lead. As we read of Paul’s experiences in serving his Lord we find that it required Spirit inspired determination and effort to go where the Spirit led. Service for the Lord will not always be easy. Yet even in the most difficult situation we can find rest and peace as we depend of Christ to minister in and through us. As a pastor there are many issues that arise that need to be dealt with. These can become very overwhelming if we are not experiencing union with Christ, and resting in Him concerning the issues that arise. Facing controversy in the church can be very stressful. Dealing with financial problems, member’s personal crisis, and expectations of members

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and church officials can become overwhelming. However, when a pastor comes to realize that Christ is his wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30) the anxiety and burden is released. For now he trusts that Christ will manifest His wisdom through him in all situations. Ministry then becomes a joy because the pastor can rest in Jesus’ abiding presence knowing that Jesus Himself will actually be ministering through his words and activities. Jesus will reveal to him His plans. Jesus will impress him what to preach and will speak though him in the message. Jesus will be all-in-all in his ministry from that moment forward. What joy and peace! From Heaviness to Joy The personal experience of Adoniram Judson Gordon, a Christian teacher, preacher and author, reveals how he came to understand the blessedness of abiding in Christ in ministry. Before coming to the experience in Christ his ministry became more and more burdensome. Of this he wrote: “Well do we remember those days when drudgery was pushed to the point of desperation. The hearers must be moved to repentance and confession of Christ; therefore more effort must be devoted to the sermon, more hours to elaborating its periods, more pungency put into its sentences, more study bestowed on its delivery. And then came the disappointment that few, if any, were converted by all this which had cost a week of solid toil. And now attention was turned to the prayer meeting as the possible seat of the difficulty—so few attending it and so little readiness to participate in its services. A pulpit scourging must be laid on next Sunday, and the sharpest sting which words can effect put into the lash. Alas, there is no increase in the attendance, and instead of spontaneity in prayer and witnessing there is a silence which seems almost like sullenness! Then the administration goes wrong and opposition is encountered among officials, so that caucusing must be undertaken to get the members to vote as they should. Thus the burdens of anxiety increase while we are trying to lighten them, and should-be helpers become hinderers, til discouragement comes and sleepless nights ensue; these hot boxes on the train of our activities necessitating a stop and a visit of the doctor, with the verdict overwork and the remedy absolute rest.”

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I am sure many workers in ministry can identify with Gordon’s dilemma and burden. Then he goes on the share what happened to change his life and ministry. “It was after much of all this, of which even the most intimate friends knew nothing, that there came one day a still voice of admonition, saying, ‘There standeth one among you whom ye know not.’ And perhaps I answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I might know him?’ I had known the Holy Ghost as a heavenly influence to be invoked, but somehow I had not grasped the truth that he is a Person of the Godhead who came down to earth at a definite time and who has been in the church ever since, just as real as Jesus was here during the thirty and three years of his earthly life.” Gordon reflects on the struggle many Christians experience with the words: “…how many true Christians toil on, bearing burdens and assuming responsibilities far too great for their natural strength, utterly forgetful that the mighty Burden-bearer of the world is with them to do for them and through them that which they have undertaken to accomplish alone!” Then Gordon writes of how happy these burdened Christians are when they too discover the truth that Christ through the Spirit is there to carry the burdens of life and ministry. Gordon writes that his discovery of this truth took place “by a quiet, sure, and steady discovery, increasingly unto more and more.” He continued, “Jesus in the Spirit stood with me in a kind of spiritual epiphany and just as definitely and irrevocably as I once took Christ crucified as my sinbearer I now took the Holy Spirit for my burden-bearer.” Through this experience of coming to realize the reality of abiding in Christ and the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the church Gordon’s burden was lifted; now borne by the Spirit Who opened his understanding to this wonderful truth.

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You Too Can be Burden Free Through the Holy Spirit Jesus abides in us, obeys through us and ministers through us. Therefore, we can rest in that fact and choose to let Him do it. Once again I say; when this becomes a reality to you your life and ministry will never again be the same. Your life will be filled with love, joy, peace, faith; all the fruit of the Spirit. You will see personal victories and victories in ministry as never before seen. Jesus will be everything to you. If as you read these testimonies you feel your mind struggling to understand the marvelous abiding in Christ described, ask God to open your understanding. I know from personal experience such frustration. For years I too read the biblical counsel and personal testimonies, but did not comprehend. I know the frustration and longing for more love, joy, peace, faith in ministry. I can also testify that God will hear your prayer. For God said through Jeremiah: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 When you discover your Lord as your burden bearer in life and ministry your heart will be filled with inexpressible joy. When you find that joy you will have found the Strength. “… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

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here are many parallels between God’s work of creation and His work of redemption. In the creation we are told that God brought light to darkness, perfect form where there was chaos, life where there was no life and created man in His own image. In His redemption of mankind He does a similar work. He brings light to man dwelling in darkness. He brings life to those who are dead in their sins. He recreates man in His own image, and will restore mankind to their Adamic perfection. Creation and the Gospel We also find the gospel taught in the creation story. In Genesis we read: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” Genesis 2:1, 2 Here we discover that God worked then rested. The situation for Adam was just the opposite. First he entered into God’s rest since the seventhday Sabbath was his first full day of life. After entering God’s rest on the seventh-day he then worked. The same sequence is true concerning man’s redemption. In Christ God completed the work of redemption through His sinless life, death and resurrection. Man begins experiencing God’s redemptive work in his life by resting in what God has already done for him. He rests in the fact that Jesus died for his sins, and has given to him eternal life as a free gift. He rests in the fact that he has Christ’s righteousness covering him. He also

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rests in the fact that at the cross the power of his sinful nature was broken and he is now free to serve God. Daily he rests in the fact that Christ lives in him, and will live out His life in and through him if he simply chooses to let Him. Once the believer rests in these truths he is able then to “work” or faithfully serve and obey God in life and ministry. This rest is necessary for him to faithfully serve God. By rest I mean that he accepts by faith what God has done for his redemption. Cease from Working In Hebrews chapter four we find a similar description of the concept of rest. In this chapter we read of Israel’s failure to enter into God’s rest during their wilderness sojourn. Then we are told: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-11 God’s word is very clear about the concept of rest. When we enter into God’s rest we cease our own efforts. We are told that it is important we seek to enter into this rest. Otherwise, we will fail in our obedience to God due to unbelief. As we have seen in previous chapters, the only way to victory over temptation and sin is to rest in the fact that Jesus abides in us and allow Him to live out His life in and though us. We must rest in that truth through belief, and not hinder God’s work of redemption in our life by trying to work or exert our own effort to obey. Our part is to believe and choose to let Christ live out His obedient life in us. We are to rest in His completed work. Sabbath Rest As Seventh-day Adventists we highly regard the seventh-day Sabbath. We say we believe that we are to “rest” on that day. Hopefully from what has been presented in this chapter you can see that God’s command for us to rest from our labors every seventh-day Sabbath is a type of our rest in Him for our redemption. The Sabbath rest is symbolic of resting completely in Christ for our deliverance from temptation and sin.

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In the Old Testament we are told that the Sabbath is a memorial of two things. It is a memorial of God creating this earth and all that is in it (Exodus 20:8-11). It is also a memorial of God’s redemptive work in our lives. “Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Ezekiel 20:12 Every week when we rest on the seventh-day Sabbath we are celebrating God’s work of redemption in our life. However, if we have not entered the rest of redemption by accepting by faith what God has done for our redemption, we are not truly entering into the meaning of Sabbath rest. If we are seeking to obey God by our own efforts, not trusting fully in Christ to do the work, we fail to experience the Sabbath rest God intends us to celebrate. Hence, abiding in Christ and Sabbath rest are very closely related. Those ready to meet Jesus will have truly entered the Sabbath rest. They will not only be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy, they will be experiencing the true meaning of the “rest” of the Sabbath. I believe this is, in part, what Ellen White referred to when she described God’s people proclaiming the Sabbath “more fully” at the very end of time. “At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.” Maranatha, p. 170 They will be experiencing the total rest in Christ for their salvation, and will be empowered to proclaim the Sabbath in the context of God’s great salvation that is symbolized in the seventh-day Sabbath. Satan’s Hatred of the Sabbath As we understand the true meaning of the seventh-day Sabbath we can see why Satan hates it so much. It is a memorial of God’s work of redemption in the lives of His children. Every week Satan is confronted with a day memorializing God’s redeeming work, which will ultimately bring Satan’s kingdom to an end. The “rest” of the Sabbath symbolizes the end of Satan’s

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power in the lives of God’s people. So, everything about it is a direct affront to Satan’s efforts to bring mankind under the power of his kingdom of darkness. This is why before Jesus comes to put an end to sin Satan will try to abolish the seventh-day Sabbath from off the earth. He will have led the vast majority of earth’s inhabitants to disregard it and even consider those who still keep it as going against the will of God. Just before Christ returns Satan will inspire the powers of the earth to finally destroy those few who still keep the day he hates, hoping to be finally rid of any evidence of the one day that memorialized the destruction of satanic forces (Revelation 13). However, we know from prophecy that Satan’s plans to destroy God people will fail. Just as the destruction is about the take place Jesus comes and delivers all who have remained faithful to Him during the darkest hour of earth’s history (2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9; Revelation 14:14-20; 19:11-21). The Sabbath will not only have remained in this earth from creation to the second coming of Jesus, it will also be kept by God’s people throughout eternity in the new earth (Isaiah 66:22, 23). Can you imagine what a day of rejoicing that will be! So, let us begin rejoicing now in God’s holy Sabbath day as we experience the “rest” in the salvation Christ has provided; the moment-by-moment deliverance He is manifesting in us and the service He is performing through us every day.

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hose living when Jesus returns will be living during a time in history that is very different from any other previous time since the fall of Adam into sin. Ever since the fall of man God’s mercy has been seen and felt in this world. God has many times intervened to hold back Satan’s destructive efforts. Even now the angels are holding back the destructive forces of this earth until God’s children are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Revelation 7:1-3, Ephesians 4:30). However, during the time after the judgment has ended all cases of man’s destiny will have been decided. Those who have chosen to follow Christ will remain faithful, and those who have chosen Satan as their leader will stay in his camp (Revelation 22:11-12). During that time the seven last plagues will fall without any of God’s mercy mingled with these judgments from God (Revelation 15:6, 8; 16:1; 14:9, 10). A Purification Time The time period just prior to Christ’s second coming is called the time of trouble, which begins when Christ “stands up” having completed His mediatory work as high priest of His people (Daniel 12:1). Ellen White wrote of this time period in the book, The Great Controversy. “Says the prophet: ‘Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.’ [Malachi 3:2, 3.] Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above, are to stand

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in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative Judgment is going forward in Heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. “When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for his appearing. ‘Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.’ [Malachi 3:4.] Then the church which our Lord at his coming is to receive to himself will be ‘a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.’ [Ephesians 5:27.] Then she will look forth ‘as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’” The Great Controversy, p. 425 Notice several very important points I this statement. The prophet Malachi foretold of a time just prior to Christ’s second coming when a great refining process would take place among God’s people. This purifying process will cause God’s children to have spotless characters. They will have been conquerors over every temptation and sin in their life. Ellen White wrote of this experience. “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69 Note that Ellen White says the character of Christ will be “perfectly reproduced in His people.” This is not justification only where Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the sinner. She refers here to Christ’s perfect character being imparted to His people. Christ will be fully and perfectly manifesting His character in and through them. That is the only way they can live in the sight of a holy God without a mediator.

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When Ellen White refers to this purification process happening “through the grace of God and their own diligent effort” she is referring to the diligent watchfulness they have practiced in order to allow Christ to shine out in their life at every point of temptation. They have been putting forth diligent effort in studying God’s Word so they can be very aware of God’s will in their life. They have also been diligent in keeping a momentby-moment communion with their Lord. A Time Without Sin Also, since Christ is no longer mediating as their high priest they will have to have attained a condition of complete victory over all sin in their lives. They will be living in no known sin. They will not be sinning in thought, word or deed. Christ is fully manifesting Himself in and through their lives. In relation to this Ellen White wrote: “’The prince of this world cometh,’ said Jesus, ‘and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us.” Desire of Ages, p. 123 This must be the experience of those who are ready to meet Jesus since they will no longer have the mediatory intercession of Christ to turn to if they sin in thought, word or deed. That may sound like an impossibility. Yet it is true. How to experience that level of obedience to God is what this book is all about. Jude also refers to the experience of that last generation of Christians who are living when Jesus comes. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24 Here we read that Jude says those who allow Christ to “keep them from falling” into sin will be able to stand in the “presence of his glory with exceeding joy” when He returns and not be consumed. Jesus described His coming in glory, which is the same Greek word used in Jude 24 for glory.

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“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30 In contrast, those who have not experienced the purifying power of God will be killed by the “brightness” of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Jude also says that the Lord will present His people “faultless” when they stand in the presence of his glory. This is the same Greek word used to describe that last generation of Christians who give the three angels’ messages in power just before Jesus comes (Revelation 14:5). Let the Rain Fall The victory over temptation and sin must happen in our lives under the early rain power of the Holy Spirit. If this does not happen the latter rain of the Spirit will be of no benefit to us. Ellen White wrote: “I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord, and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen White, p. 112 It is a deception of Satan if we believe we do not have to take seriously the sin problem in our lives. Ellen White confirms this with the words: “I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtained the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action.” Ibid.,113 The early or former rain of the Spirit, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, brings us to the spiritual maturity required in order to benefit from the latter rain.

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“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.” The Faith I Live By, p. 333 Full spiritual growth under the early rain baptism of the Spirit is necessary for us to even be able to recognize the latter rain of the Spirit when it is falling. “Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” Testimony to Ministers, p. 507 Hence, it is absolutely vital that every Christian take seriously God’s call to be filled with His Spirit, and allow Jesus to manifest Himself in and through them. Only then will they gain the victory over every temptation and sin in their life. This is why Ellen White wrote: “Nothing but the baptism of the Holy Spirit can bring up the church to its right position, and prepare the people of God for the fast approaching conflict.” 2MR 30 God’s Last Work in His People In the book of Revelation God gives many prophecies of last-day events. God also tells us what His last work will be among His people. In Revelation chapter ten we read: “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:7 Just before Jesus returns the “mystery of God” will be finished. What is that mystery? Paul tell us.

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“To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 The mystery of God that will be finished is the full manifestation of Christ in His people, Christ in them, which is their only hope of revealing God’s glory to the world in its fullness (Revelation 18:1). This is what Ellen White was referring to when she wrote: “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69 The mystery of God will be complete when Christ “Himself ” is manifest in His church; not church members trying to imitate Christ. It will be completed when the church learns how to let Christ “perfectly reproduce in His people” His character; not Christ’s character being perfectly reproduced “by” His people. No, the mystery of God will be complete when Christ Himself is manifest in His church, and Christ Himself perfectly reproduces His character “in” His people. That is what this book is all about! The teachings that I am presenting in this book about the complete victory we can have over the temptations and sins in our life are necessary for every Christian to understand and experience if they are living when Jesus comes. I personally believe God is calling that final generation into existence today.

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Books by Pastor Dennis Smith The Baptism of the Holy Spirit This book presents the biblical teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the benefits of receiving this gift in fullness, and why it is necessary for the Christian to receive it. Spirit Baptism & Evangelism The relationship between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and witnessing for Christ is presented along with Christ’s method of evangelism. Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship This book gives a biblical and historical study into how the early Christians “did church”, and why it is important Christians continue to experience genuine fellowship. Spirit Baptism & Deliverance It is God’s will to deliver His children from every influence and oppression of Satan in the Christian’s life spiritually, emotionally and physically. This book presents how deliverance can become a reality in the Christian’s life. Spirit Baptism & Prayer Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. This book presents the many facets of prayer including fasting and how to pray in the Spirit. Spirit Baptism & Christ’s Glorious Return This book presents the characteristics of those who are ready for Christ’s return. Spirit Baptism & Abiding in Christ This book explains how the Christian is to obtain victory over every temptation and sin by allowing Christ to live out His life in and through him or her. When this is experienced one’s life will never again be the same. Spirit Baptism & Waiting on God This book presents the biblical teaching about waiting on God for everything: prayer, guidance, service, Christ’s character, and why God allows trials and difficulties to enter the Christian’s life.

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Spirit Baptism & the 1888 Message of Righteousness by Faith In 1888 God brought the message of righteousness by faith to the Seventhday Adventist Church. This book presents what that message was and why it is essential we experience righteousness by faith in Christ alone today. Spirit Baptism & Earth’s Final Events This book unveils Satan’s last-day prophetic deceptions and reveals the role the baptism of the Holy Spirit and righteousness by faith plays in preparing God’s people for earth’s final events. Transformed By the Spirit (w/Juan Cubero) The inspiring true story of Juan Cubero, a former violent drug dealer and prison gang leader, who the Spirit transformed to become a servant of the King of kings. An amazing story for young and old alike. 40 Days A devotional book designed to be used during a 40 day time period individually or as a group. Each of the 40 daily devotionals presents one aspect of the baptism of the Holy Spirit followed by study questions, and a daily prayer focus, which includes suggestions for reaching out to 5 former or non-Adventists. An excellent book for preparing for a Visitor’s Sabbath and evangelistic meetings.

Pastor Smith’s books can be ordered from: Adventist Book Center - 800-435-0008 Dennis Smith Phone: 203-389-4784 Email: [email protected] Website: www.spiritbaptism.org

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