All is Vain absent Christ

ref Jhn 3:3
by Gary Shepard

The words of Christ and others that can be summed up in the words of the old hymn writer: “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One come down.” How true those words are! Without a doubt, the preaching of Christ crucified is a sweet savor to God in those that are being saved and in those that perish. It can never be a vain thing in that sense. But as it pertains to the actual saving of a sinner and in bringing that sinner to believe the message of the gospel, preaching alone, even the preaching of the truth, cannot alone accomplish what is necessary. It is as our Lord has said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Again, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:” (John 6:44) All are so “dead in trespasses and sins” that unless there be this great awakening, life-giving work of God’s Spirit in us, none will live spiritually or believe. Faith does not produce this life, this life from above produces faith. From time to time, some have believed and continue to do so. For this we thank God and pray that He would keep us faithful to preach His gospel. Ours is to preach Christ, His is to give life and faith to believe on Him. We preach Christ crucified, knowing “all is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One come down..”