“. . . mighty to save.” Isaiah 63:1
By the words “to save,” we understand the great work of salvation in its entirety, from our first holy desire through complete sanctification. The words are multum in parvo—much in little. Indeed, here is all mercy in a few letters. Christ is not only “mighty to save” those who repent, He is able to make people repent. He will carry believers to heaven; but He is, moreover, mighty to give people new hearts and to work faith in them. He is mighty to make the person who hates holiness to love holiness, and to compel the one who despises His name to bend the knee before Him. And this is not all the meaning, since God’s power is seen equally after conversion. The life of a believer is a series of miracles wrought by the mighty God. The bush burns, but is not consumed (Exodus 3:1–4). He is mighty to keep His people holy after He has made them so, and to preserve them in His fear and love until He consummates their spiritual existence in heaven. Christ’s might does not lie in making believers and then leaving them to fend for themselves. No, He who begins the good work carries it on. He who imparts the first spark of life in a dead soul prolongs the divine existence, strengthening it until every bond of sin is broken and the soul leaps from earth to be perfected in glory. Believer, here is encouragement. Are you praying for a loved one? Don’t give up your prayers, for Christ is “mighty to save.” You are powerless to reclaim the rebel, but your Lord is almighty. Lay hold on His arm, and urge Him to put forth its strength. Does your own case trouble you? Don’t be afraid—His strength is sufficient for you too. Whether for others or to carry on the work in you, Jesus is “mighty to save”—the best proof of which lies in the fact that He has saved you. What immense mercy that we have not found Him mighty to destroy! - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
I am taken to Revelation a lot these days, probably due in part to the fact that we are in the last days of the letters to the Churches.
In Revelation and other places in Scripture it is mentioned of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Read this part again "He is mighty to make the person who hates holiness to love holiness, and to compel the one who despises His name to bend the knee before Him."
I know of people who are Christians who have given up on praying for certain, shall we say - difficult - people, in their lives.
Please, show me where it is in God's Word where quitting is an option for us in trying to reach the lost? As long as a person has the breath of life in them...granted to them by the same God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...as has been granted to us...then...there...is...hope.
In the case of Ananias and Sophira...hope was gone when the breath left their bodies. In the case of Judas it was the same. In the case of many, God never gave up. Look at the survivors of Auschwitz. They lived in death's doorway and God still brought many out of it.
I still pray for some, shall we say, more challenging cases when it comes to spiritual battles over the souls of some that I know. Why? Why not take up the banter of "out of sight, out of mind"? The simplest reason is...it's obvious to me that since the Spirit brings them to my mind that HE HAS NOT GIVEN UP.
I pray for people whom have no clue that they are being prayed over. Again some ask why? The why for us is the same why for Jesus. It is carrying out the business of the Father. Jesus not only took on all the sins of mankind, I believe that He continues to pray for all mankind. It doesn't automatically mean all will be saved. Each person must turn and repent. Each person must choose to come to Christ for salvation. The onus is still on each human being.
Are you praying for those around you or are you stuck in your own selfish little world?
I, and it's shameful to watch, have seen many self-centered Christians. Their arrogance and hubris go before them. They have confidence and zeal but it's directed at themselves not at the furtherance of the Gospel.
I am not exempt from moments of selfishness. I am not exempt from seeking the approval of men around me. There's a right and wrong way to seek that. To a certain extent it's necessary for development in the workplace. In Spiritual matters it's not a good thing necessarily. Because it's easy to start comparing Spiritual successes. My friend all believers are at different places in their walk with Jesus. Comparing Spiritual successes can be devastating to younger believers. No two believers have the same Spiritual issues. The share a sin nature but that's it.
Unbelievers share a sin nature. They, as long as they are breathing, need prayer to bring them to their knees before our Holy God...before the judgment that is to come upon this world.
They need this before the Spirit step aside when Daniel's 70th week begins. There will be people saved during that time but oh the horrors on earth they will endure. What the Bible describes as persecution of Christians now isn't what it will be. A death sentence is upon all who believe in Christ after the Rapture. They will not be able to buy or sell anything. They will be on the run. Outcasts. The only option given by the Antichrist is turn to worship him or die.
Every knee will bow. Willingly or unwillingly it will happen. Nobody will outlast that directive from God.
Pray for them that persecute you.
Pray for those you see.
Pray for those whom you know.
Your prayer may be the one that it the tipping point of them finding Salvation in Christ Jesus.
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