Lesson 31: Impossible With Man, Possible With God, part 5

Some are weary of thinking about sanctification. You pray, you have longed and cried for it, and yet it appeared so far off! The holiness and humility of Jesus—you are so conscious of how distant it is. Beloved friends, the one doctrine of sanctification that is Scriptural and real and effectual is: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." God can sanctify men, and by His almighty and sanctifying power every moment God can keep them. Oh that we might get a step nearer to our God now and that the light of God might shine, and that we might know our God better!

I could go on to speak about the life of Christ in us—living like Christ, taking Christ as our Savior from sin, and as our life and strength. It is God in heaven who can reveal that in you. What does that prayer of the Apostle Paul say: "That He would grant you according to riches of His glory"—it is sure to be something very wonderful if it is according to the riches of His glory—"to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man"? Do you not see that it is an omnipotent God working by His omnipotence in the heart of His believing children, so that Christ can become an indwelling Savior? You have tried to grasp it and to seize it, and you have tried to believe it, and it would not come. It was because you had not been brought to believe that "the things which are impossible with men are possible with God."


I trust that the word spoken about love may have brought many to see that we must have an inflowing of love in quite a new way; our heart must be filled with life from above, from the Fountain of everlasting love, if it is going to overflow all day. Then it will be just as natural for us to love our fellow men as it is natural for the lamb to be gentle and the wolf to be cruel. Until I am brought to such a state that the more a man hates and speaks evil of me, the more unlikable and unlovable a man is, the more I shall love him; until I am brought to such a state that the more the obstacles and hatred and ingratitude, the more the power of love can triumph in me—until I am brought to see that, I am not saying, “It is impossible with men." But if you have been led to say, “This message has spoken to me about a love utterly beyond my power; it is absolutely impossible "—then we can come to God and say, “It is possible with You."


Some are crying to God for a great revival. I can say that this is the prayer of my heart unceasingly. If God would only revive His believing people! I cannot think, in the first place, of the unconverted formalists of the Church, or of the infidels and skeptics, or of all the wretched and perishing around me; my heart prays in the first place, “My God, revive Your Church and people." It is not for nothing that there are in thousands of hearts yearnings after holiness and consecration: it is a forerunner of God's power. God works to will and then He works to do. These yearnings are a witness and a proof that God has worked to will. Let us in faith believe that the omnipotent God will work to do among His people more than we can ask. "Unto Him," Paul said, "who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think...unto Him be glory." Let our hearts say that. Glory to God, the Omnipotent One, who can do above what we dare to ask or think!

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." All round about you there is a world of sin and sorrow, and the devil is there. But remember, Christ is on the throne, Christ is stronger, Christ has conquered, and Christ will conquer. But wait on God. My text casts us down: "The things which are impossible with men"; but it ultimately lifts us up high—" are possible with God." Get linked to God. Adore and trust Him as the Omnipotent one, not only for your own life, but for all the souls that are entrusted to you. Never pray without adoring His omnipotence: and say: "Almighty God, I claim Yours almightiness." The answer to the prayer will come, and like Abraham you will become strong in faith, giving glory to God, because you account Him who has promised able to perform.