2002-09-13
Good Morning Dear Ones,
One of Satan's strategies is to force us to rerun our sins over and over again in our minds and to keep us constantly reminded of them. His idea here is to convince us that we will never be forgiven for them. However, God tells us in many ways in the Scriptures not to fall for this ploy. If we do, we block the Holy Spirit from strengthening our faith. There are so many people who are experts on what they have done wrong in this life and who never accept the blessing of Christ's forgiveness, even though they have genuinely repented, turned from that sin, and begun to have faith in Christ. This, if allowed to go on, is a terrible tragedy-a tragedy that can be prevented. As this applies to heinous sins like murder and rape, it must be understood that the wrongdoer must first face appropriate punishment even if God eventually forgives him. However, I'm talking about more ordinary sins which had become ingrown habit patterns that were finally broken. Now let's look at what God has to say.
RO 8: 1-2, "There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death." We who live "in Christ" need to acknowledge the blessed forgiveness that we have been given. The second part of this passage can be likened to a plug pulled out of an electrical socket. When we were born, the plug (representing the connection between Satan driving us to sin and ourselves) was firmly in the socket, and we couldn't pull it out by ourselves. However, when Christ died on the cross, He then gave us the ability to sever this strong connection between Satan and ourselves. We could pull the plug out of the socket, by repenting, turning from our sin, and believing in Christ. Now, Satan's electricity is still there, and we can still choose to put the plug back in the socket, if we are foolish enough (or should I say weak enough in our faith) to put it back in. But, we now have the choice as to what we will do. Furthermore, RO 4: 3 & 13 show us that when we come to real faith, we are deemed righteous by God [we are justified]. That means that we no longer want to plug in to Satan's evil. The example of Abraham's justification first mentioned in GN 15:6 is repeated in the RO 4: 3 verse. RO 6: 6, 11 "And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on His cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin... In the same way you are to think of yourselves as dead, so far as sin is concerned, but living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus."
There are some magnificent truths given to us in the Scriptures to help us feel encouraged and to let us see God's justice and righteousness as they apply to us in the battles we must wage against evil. RO 1: 38-39, "For I am certain that nothing can separate us from His love; neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below-there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." We tend to underestimate the power of strong faith, something that God is indirectly telling us not to do here. Our business is to spend our lives in the word daily, with active prayer lives, and engaging in a faith-building lifestyle. As for our enemy, Satan, we should not forget what happens to him in spite of the fact that he loves to accuse us day and night. REV 12: 10, "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'Now God has shown His power as King! Now His Messiah has show his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused our brothers day and night has been thrown out of heaven.'" We know that the adversary's final fate is outlined in REV 20: 10, "Then the devil , who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." What a fitting end for one who has caused so much trouble and grief!
While it is comforting to know the end of the devil's story, we also need to be reminded of what is going on right now for those of us who are in the throes of spiritual warfare to help us through it. HE 7: 24-25, "But Jesus lives on forever, and His work as priest does not pass on to someone else. And so He is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through Him, because He lives forever to plead with God for them." When we realize that Christ is our High Priest in heaven Who takes our prayers directly to the Father, we begin to see the crucial nature of having an active prayer life. Further direction and support is given to us in HE 12: 2, "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on Whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for Him, He thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and He is now seated at the right side of God's throne." Christ didn't give up despite pain, humiliation, and even martyrdom. Neither should we.
PRAYER: O Lord, there are times in our lives when we think our pain, suffering, and loss is unbearable. The devil loves it when we hang our heads in depression or are numbed by the sheer weight of his dirty work done to us. Those of us whose faith is weak turn to You in anger, wanting to blame You for allowing this to happen. Some of them are even foolish enough to think that You, and not Satan, are responsible. But that isn't the truth! We must understand what we learn in IS 55: 8-9 applies. "'My thoughts,' says the Lord, 'are not like yours, and My ways are different from yours. As high as the heaven are above the earth, so high are My ways and thoughts above yours.'" You are never the cause of evil; in fact, You have no evil in You. There are times when You allow us to go through pain, suffering, and loss, because You see a bigger picture or want us to learn a lesson. Dearest Abba, Your love for us is so profound that You want nothing more than to forward our sanctification (necessary preparation for eternal life with You). Furthermore, You know that enabling us to work through the challenges to our faith, strengthens it and us. You justified us when we came to faith in Christ and repented. You provide opportunities now for our sanctification. And, we believe with all our hearts, that someday, You will glorify us-that is give us resurrection bodies and call us to the wedding feast of the Lamb in heaven [1 COR 15: 42-50; REV 19: 5-10]. You have called us to be joint-heirs with Your Son to Your Kingdom, that Kingdom which is everlasting [RO 8: 17]. PS 145: 13, "Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations." The words of the Psalmist in PS 56: 4 express what is in our hearts. "I praise God for His word. I trust God, so I am not afraid." That comfort and our belief in our own resurrection is seated in the encouragement You gave us in RO 8: 29-that Christ is "the first among many brothers." We thank You for His Atonement and humbly pledge You our diligence in battling Satan, our heartfelt trust and obedience, our everlasting loyalty to You, our adoration and worship, and our praise for Who You are. To You belongs all the honor and glory for all the goodness on earth and in heaven. In Christ's name, amen.
Tomorrow, I am led to discuss how the Gentile Ephesians were depicted in AC 4: 17-19 in the context of righteousness. We'll delve into what the terms "old self" and "new self" mean. Each day as I write these messages, the Spirit leads me to new ways I can understand God's love for each of us. That's why I like to end each message on this subject. Today, we are reminded that even amidst an awful bout with Satan-illness, disappointment, loss, or other misery-we are not alone. Every prayer that we send up to our Intercessor and High Priest in heaven is taken to the Father. When there is any question that needs to be pled for us, Christ is eager to do that. In JN 15: 7, we are reminded that every prayer said in the name of Christ, and thus in line with God's will, shall be answered. The only way to know God's will is daily time in His word. Therefore, a pressing argument for the "in Christ" lifestyle is made, and precious, loving help and guidance is available to us 24/7 when we need it. That is another way our Abba shows His love for us. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn