A Done Deal

To me, it’s amazing how God always gives a choice. You know, He could make decisions for us but He has a better plan. For instance, when He created the Garden of Eden, He placed many trees there. Only one tree was forbidden. That seemed simple enough—just one rule.

Alas, the avalanche that sweeps all in its path. Introducing Eve. She was beguiled and together with Adam broke God’s one rule. In like fashion, we face two main choices each day. Do we select the slippery forbidden path of destruction or do we choose God’s way?

To answer that, let’s take a closer look. Disobedience started a long time ago when Satan got kicked out of heaven in an attempt to become God [seated on the Most High Throne]. Well, that position was already taken. Therefore, problems, sin, fighting, warfare and battles erupt daily because of our enemy and the fall of man.

Along with his work of tempting mankind, Satan also delights in deception and his lying nature stands in bold contrast to the truth for which Christ reveals. Obviously, the old wormwood is the master of disguise. We humans, fickle creatures that we are, sometimes fall for his false and tricky shams. But, here’s the deal: the devil is defeated.

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the basis for Beelzebub’s undoing. With that in mind, consider where that leaves the believer. You guessed it—victorious! Strength for a Christian’s conquest over sin has already been provided through the sacrificial offering of our Lord’s life.

Here’s the beautiful side. We have assurance that “the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20). Yet, such winning or personal triumph depends upon our will to resist the false accuser’s seductions. To help Christians endure these battles, God has provided the power by Jesus’ blood. “And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony” (Rev 12:11).

What a truth to grasp today! We’re free from the bondage of sin’s slavery because: “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). That’s right. Accepting this reality enables us to go forth and live an overcoming life with complete confidence.