All of us could give instances of earnest, true-hearted Christians, who have no power. Why have they no power? They are not looking at Christ where He is. They are not looking at Christ where He is taken.
It would be an interesting study to examine the passages where we read of the Lord being “taken up.” In the first chapter of the Acts, we get it no fewer than four times.
In the 15th John we have a passage which contains the whole truth of which I have been speaking. It says, “Except the branch abide in the vine, it cannot bear fruit,” and adds “no more can ye except ye abide in Me—for without me ye can do nothing.” That brings out the principle of the secret of power. “Without Me ye can do nothing.” It is not “without Me ye are nothing.” It is not serving there, but really you can do nothing.
One says, I want to do something. Well, you cannot do it without Christ. You want to go and preach, or to go and visit the sick. You cannot without Christ. But you say, I am a Christian. I do not doubt you are a Christian. I am not raising that question at all.
That is not the point. It is a question of power.
Many a person may be a strong man, but not able to make a watch. Why not? He wants ability to make the watch. He wants the necessary intelligence and skill. It is not because he is not a strong man. He does not know how to apply his strength―has not had the necessary education. You require to be taught.