The Omnipotence of God Displayed in Salvation

(Article for publication week of 6-23-2010 AD)

"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" (Ephesians 1:19-20).

According to our text, it takes the same power to save a sinner as it did to raise the Son of God from the dead. It is nothing less than Divine Omnipotence that enables a poor sinner to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. We believe in Christ "according to the working of His mighty power." A poor sinner is helpless to save himself, or help save himself.

The first thing we note about the condition of man is that by nature he is dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1; Romans 5:12). Some advocate in their doctrine that man is sick, but the Bible says that he is dead spiritually. Some would suggest that Adam was injured by the fall, but the Bible says that he died. The spiritual condition of man in his natural state is that he is dead. Just as one who is dead naturally can do nothing to restore himself to life, so one who is dead spiritually can do nothing to give himself spiritual life. Poor sinner, you are in desperate straits! You are dead in sin and can do nothing to give yourself life!

The next thing we see about the sinner's condition is that he is in rebellion against God. His will is averse to God. Our Lord said in John 5:40, "ye will not come unto me that ye might have life." Not only are you helpless to come to Christ, but you are unwilling to come to Christ. You love yourself instead of God and you love your sins more than holiness, so you will not come to Christ and be saved, you are a rebel against the High King of heaven.

Were it not for Divine Omnipotence, no sinner would ever be saved. But thanks be to God! The power of the Almighty has engaged to save poor sinners! The omnipotent energy of the Triune God regenerates those dead in sin and gives them spiritual life. "The Son quickeneth whom He will" (John 5:21). The quickened sinner then has spiritual life and is made sorry for his sins and enabled to cry to the Lord for mercy.

Not only does the Lord regenerate one dead in sins when He is pleased to save such a one, but the Lord also conquers the stubborn will of the rebel. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power" (Psalm 110:3). There has never been a sinner so stubborn that God was not able to conquer that sinner when God was pleased to save that sinner. So we read in John 6:37, "all that the Father giveth me shall come to Me." The elect sinner comes to Christ most willingly when Divine Omnipotence overcomes him.

Now I ask you dear reader, "has Divine omnipotence given you life and changed your rebellious nature?" Has the power of the Almighty intervened in your life for your salvation? I pray it may be true of you, my dear readers.