One of Satan's devices is to convince us a given work of redemption cannot be accomplished in this world, when the fact is it can and should be performed here and now.

A good example of this is the victory over sin possible under new-covenant grace. According to Paul, we can and must put to death, through the Holy Spirit, the deeds of our flesh (Romans 8:13). We are not required to continue in sin (Romans 8:12; Galatians 5:16).

Yet, it is taught commonly in Christian churches that as long as we are in the world it is impossible to overcome sin. This teaching does not come from the Holy Spirit. It prevents us from entering the restoration available to us now.

It was possible in the days of the Apostles but no longer is possible. This thinking often is applied to Divine healing and other manifestations of supernatural power and wisdom. It effectively prevents the Lord's people from receiving the Divine grace available to us now.

To relegate the Lord's grace and power to the past is a most illogical and unscriptural position. It is illogical to hold that the born-again experience still is part of the Christian experience but miracles are not. It also is unscriptural. Where does it state in the Scripture that the early part of the Church Age would be characterized by the gifts of the Spirit and the latter part of the Church Age would be denied these necessary aspects of new-covenant grace?

To claim we no longer need the healing touch of the Lord Jesus because we have the completed New Testament writings proceeds from human reasoning plus an ignorance of the provision God has made for His Church. Did the miracles cease for Israel after the Jews possessed the Torah? It is a desirable ignorance from the enemy's standpoint. It hinders the operation of the Divine restoration.

There are numerous illnesses and afflictions in our day that medical doctors cannot heal with all the modern drugs and techniques. But the Lord Jesus can and does heal all diseases! Nothing is impossible to Him.

We can fulfill the vision if we try hard enough. The Scriptures teach us a balance between God's efforts and our efforts. There are many things God will do and many He will not do. There are things we must do and things we cannot do. Considerable experience is required before we understand what God is to do and what we are to do.

Many saints have had trouble with personal sanctification. The harder they try to be holy the more they sin, or so it seems. It is true that we must confess our sins and exercise our will against sin to the extent we are able. But after that, we must trust in our freedom from condemnation and in the power of Christ to give us victory over our sins. No matter how hard we try we never can achieve victory over sin by our own determination. Yet, we always must resist sin to the limit of our ability (I Corinthians 15:34).

To be continued.