Good Day, Meetpastordan Readers…This is one of the many timeless truths from our Freedom in Christ class. It is good for my soul to revisit these gems every now and then, because if you’re like me, I can get all wound up in life and it’s ensuing minutia, and then I realize, “I’ve lost my focus”. Unfortunately, we all have grown up in a fallen world where love and acceptance can often be conditional, meaning “I’ll love you if…” or “you can join us when….” Nothing is more unsettling than conditional love and conditional acceptance.
Unfortunately, that same mindset can put up roadblocks when it comes to grasping the all-important concept of God’s unconditional love for us. No doubt, the way love is portrayed in the media, in popular magazines, and then played out in today’s marital reality, makes it clear that love is frighteningly “conditional.” “Well, if he (or she) would just do, act, or look-like this, that would make me happy.” Falling short of this ‘iffy” performance standard is a strong contributor to today’s divorce statistics: 50% – 65% of new marriages fail (depending on where one looks for statistics), and the success rate for the second-time-around crowd isn’t much better.
I know there are times when everyone feels separated from God for one reason or another, but I want to point out a wonderful quote from Neil Anderson, author of “Victory Over the Darkness”, that quickly draws me back to reality. “Do not let your feelings define you, because your feelings change. Instead, stand on the truth of what God’s Word says about you.” (I’m a Child of God; I’m forgiven; I’m unconditionally loved; God delights in me; He created me for a relationship with Himself; He will never leave me nor forsake me; God is merciful and full of grace; He is faithful.) Regardless of who we are or what we have done, if we have accepted His Gift of Grace, the sin issue is over for us! Romans 8:1-2 confirms our position in Christ: “There is NO condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (my caps) And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
But you might be saying, “How can that be? I know I continue to sin! I don’t want to, but I just can’t help myself. I know I disappoint God, and I suspect He’s ready to kick me out of the Kingdom!” My answer to your pathos would be, “Is that really what God says about you? I don’t think so. You’re listening to the “accuser of the Brothers.” (Revelation 12:10) Now let’s contrast satan’s lies and deceptions with the truth of God’s Word: “Can anything ever separate us from God’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble staying the course? No! Despite these shortcomings, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today and our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away!” (Romans 8:35,37-39) That, Dear Readers, is the truth! And make no mistake…nothing means NOTHING!
When we were of this world, satan didn’t bother us because he already had us in the palm of his hands. We were solid citizens of the domain of darkness! But once we made a decision to break free from that domain and move into the domain of light by accepting God’s Gift of Grace, that’s when the relentless torment began. All of a sudden, we have targets on our backs! And the more we grow in Christ, the bigger the target, and the more hellacious are the lies, deception, schemes and accusations! And believe me, he is a master at his craft.
You must remember, satan’s sole purpose is to shipwreck your best effort to mature in your relationship with Jesus. He knows he was defeated 2021 years ago at the cross, and he also knows his eternal fate is the lake of fire. Therefore, the only way he can get back at God is by enticing, tormenting and ultimately destroying His children. 1 Peter 5:8-9 describes his tactics this way: “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Remember, all Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering (and torment) you are experiencing.”
Satan knows you intimately, but his interest is in your weaknesses. Therefore, he and his minions (helpers…the other fallen angels who were kicked out of heaven with him after their rebellion against God) keep constant watch for opportunities to exploit your vulnerabilities. And trust me when I tell you…he (or they) NEVER fail to show up when they see a chink in your character. They are as predictable as flies at a picnic!
Satan’s battleground is your soul, which consists of mind, emotions and will. Before you were in Christ, you lived separated from God. Therefore, imprinted in your soul are old thought patterns, defense mechanisms, emotional successes and failures, willful decisions and activities that pleasured and exalted you! Even after you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, even after you became that new creation in Christ, satan relentlessly continued his diabolical schemes to take you down. “But since I’m reborn, how can he do that?” you might ask. And the answer would be, no one pushed the mental delete button when you accepted God’s Gift of Grace. All of that old “stuff” is still stored in strongholds in your soul, and it becomes satan’s ammunition. But fear not! At rebirth you also received the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower you to be victorious.
From this point forward, the Spirit’s job is to bring your earthly soul in line with God’s will. Apostle Paul explains this battle in Galatians 5:16-18: “So I advise you to live your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just the opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer a slave to your sin nature.” It’s all about making the right choices!
One of satan’s favorite tactics is planting thoughts in your mind (in the “first person”, of course, so you think they are your own thoughts) then tempting you with lustful thoughts, fearful thoughts, prideful thoughts, jealous thoughts, covetous thoughts, etc. This sets up an expectation, and most likely an action will follow. He always wraps these enticements in a most appealing way, such as “remember how much you liked that”; “no one will know”; “no one will get hurt”; “you deserve it”! He knows how to push all the right buttons, but it’s all a lie. And here’s the double whammy; once the indiscretion is complete, he shows up again as the accuser: “What a disgrace; how can you call yourself a Christian?” “You’ll never be able to please God. Go have some fun!” Does any of this sound familiar?
Even though satan is a formidable adversary, God’s plan for your redemption far surpasses satan’s abilities. The whole purpose for God giving you the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is so you can rise above your circumstances, and your trials and tribulations, to become the person He created you to be. All you have to do is call Him into action. “Holy Spirit, give me your wisdom, courage, strength, patience, perseverance, whatever it is I need to bring honor and glory to God through my choices.” His Word tells you that He will answer that prayer. “When you come humbly before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor.” (James 4:10)
As I mentioned in an earlier paragraph, since Christ paid the penalty for our sins, the sin issue is over for those in Christ. Instead of being labeled as Sinners, we are now referred to as Saints, which means followers of Jesus Christ. Now when we fall short of God’s glorious standard, and we will, it is NOT counted against us as sins. Instead, we are Saints who have fallen short. At this point, God just wants us to stay in the process of becoming more Christ-like by yielding to the Holy Spirit’s direction, rather than caving-in to satan’s lies, deceptions, schemes, and accusations. Even when we feel like total loosers for falling short, FEAR NOT! NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. He wants ALL of us to experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
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May God Bless Ya…
Dan Presgrave, (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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