Seven Powers For Now
—And these are eternal
There are seven most powerful things that are available to all mankind equally. There are no greater powers than these. We can have access to these mighty things through Jesus Christ.
These are not powers that make one appear mighty in the eyes of the world. Those who have access to these powers are often poor and lowly people downtrodden by the world. These powers however are eternal, and hold the promise of unimaginable glory in the new heavens and new earth to come.
1 The Book of Life
The Bible speaks of those "whose names are written in the book of life" (Philippians 4:3).
On the last day the book of life will be opened and those whose names are there inscribed shall enter into eternal glory (Revelation 20:11-15).
The Bible promises that "The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord knows those who are His' and 'Let him who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness'" (2Timothy 2:19).
2 The Divine Seal
"In him, after listening to the message of the truth... having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance" (Ephesians 1:13).
God has not simply made promises to us, although a promise from God by itself is utterly trustworthy. We have been given the guarantee of eternal life.
God has seen fit to back up his promise with an oath, and not only that but to add a seal of guarantee, namely the gift of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:13-20).
3 The Ward against evil
Jesus said, "I give eternal life to my sheep, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).
God places limits on how much Satan can tempt us (1Corinthians 10:13). There is no power in either the spiritual or material realms that can separate us from the love of Christ. Our souls are protected from the evil one, and from all of the powers of darkness.
4 Divine Intercession
"The Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words... Christ Jesus, he who died, yes indeed and was raised, who is at God’s right hand, he also intercedes for us." (Romans 8:26,34, Hebrews 7:25).
There none more intimately connected with God the Father than His Son Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. These two intercede with God the Father, on behalf of anyone who belongs to Christ.
5 Knowledge of the True Prophecy
To the followers of Jesus Christ, there has been given "...the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past" (Romans 16:25-27).
Ancient wisdom did not unlock this secret: "The Son of God has come, and given us understanding, that we might know him who is... the true God and eternal life." (1John 5:20).
We can hold no greater truth: "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).
6 Communion in the Blood
Ancient wisdom has believed in the fellowship of blood. However no animal or human blood has the power to take away sin, except for the blood of Jesus alone. Christians have communion or fellowship in that blood.
Christians symbolise this in the symbolic meal of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a fellowship in the blood of Christ?" (1Corinthians 10:16).
Through this blood and no other, the conscience is cleansed. (Hebrews 9:14).
7 The Gift of Grace
We are granted forgiveness "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
This means that we deserve eternal death, however God in his kindness and grace has granted the forgiveness of our sins so that we may have everlasting life. It is a free gift made possible by Jesus. It is not something we could merit.
We can but claim our gift "to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he has made us accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).
Six Steps to Grace
The words of Paul in Romans (and his agreement with Jesus in the gospels) on what people should do to receive grace.
1. Hearing Christ’s word (Romans 10:8-17, Matthew 7:24).
2. Believing —having faith (Romans 1:16-17, John 3:16).
3. Repentance from sin (Romans 2:4-5, Romans 6:1-2, Luke 5:31-32).
4. Confessing Christ (Romans 10:8-10, Matthew 10:32).
5. Being baptized into Christ’s death (Romans 6:3-4, Mark 16:15-16).
6. Ongoing commitment (Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:11-12, Luke 9:62).