To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. —Acts 26:18

On the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to Saul. Saul inquired, “Who art thou Lord?” Jesus replied, “I am Jesus” (Acts 26:15). Jesus then proceeded to explain His divine call and plan for Saul. He was to share the gospel that people’s eyes might be opened and that they might be turned “from the power of Satan unto God.” Hallelujah! That is still the gospel message of today. The power of Satan has been broken; there is deliverance and victory for the sinner and backslider.

With tears and much joy, I write this edition of the Gospel Truth on the subject of victorious Christian living. Too many people are continuing to live in sin and are desperately trying to stop the sin business. As they struggle and fail, overcome by addictions and by the flesh, their faith is being eroded. Many no longer believe there is a personal experience of salvation. Rejoice with me as you read this paper. There is still deliverance from sin and still power to resist temptation. God can, will, and is transforming lives.

Consider a verse of the wonderful words to the song, There’s Power in the Blood by Lewis E. Jones.

Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;

Would you o’er evil a victory win?

There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

We need no longer bow under the servitude of sin but live in freedom through the power of the blood. I thank God for that experience. One famous song says, “I’m just a sinner, saved by grace.” I praise the Lord that is not my experience. I WAS a sinner but am no longer because Jesus lifted me up and out of sin.

The plan of God is good and sufficient. If an individual is not living a victorious life, it is not a lack of God’s power. Many people fall back into sin because they fail to seek God for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I am convinced this is one of the greatest needs among Christians today. People need to fully consecrate their lives on the altar of sacrifice and be filled with the fire and power of the Holy Spirit. It is the steadying, balancing power of the Holy Spirit that helps a Christian live a daily life pleasing to the Lord. It resolves an up-and-down, back-and-forth experience that so many people are living.

May the Lord bless you as you study the theology of this teaching, but even more so, may you be encouraged and challenged as you open your heart to live this victorious life.

Michael W. Smith

April 2023