| Choose Life |
Jesus came that we might have life, and that more
abundantly (John 10:10b). God's Word says that death
came into the world because of sin (Romans 5:12).
God's Word also says that we are all sinners and
fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Man has
a sinful nature, and because of this, we are not
worthy of God (Romans 3:23), But God so loved the
world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus
Christ (to die on the cross) that whosoever believes
in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16) Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life and no-one comes to the Father but through Jesus
(John 14:6). The Word says that Satan is the one who
comes for to steal, to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10a)
Many believe that Satan is very powerful on his own,
but he is not. Satan gets his power from us! He had to
act in a very subtle manner in the Garden of Eden with
Eve. He had to trick her. Eve "gave her power" to Satan
and by that, he had power over her. The devil has to trick
us as well in order for us to give him "our power". It is
a choice! It is up to you! Rather than giving "your power"
to the devil, why don't you follow the prescription given
in the Bible? It says to give "all blessing, and honor,
and glory and power" to God. Know this: God is a gentleman
and will not force you to yield unto Him in this life. He
does, however, give you that option. God's Word says, "He
who humbles himself (to God) shall be lifted up (exalted).
But he who exalts himself (the proud) shall be abased
(brought down low) (Matthew 23:12).
God made every creature, and man in particular for His very
own pleasure (Revelation 4:11). When man sinned against God,
God was not pleased. But God did not turn His back on man,
nor did God abandon man to eternal damnation. No! God
immediately set out to buy back what was His very own,
but had come under subjection to the devil.--- Satan was
holding "our power" against us. When I say power, I am
referring to the power that God gave us in the beginning
when God said to Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply,
and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have DOMINION
over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(Genesis 1:28) God sat us up to be the gods of this world
(the earth)(Psalm 82:6)(John 10:34,35). Through deceit,
Satan became the god of this world. His power is limited
though. It is limited by us; by what we allow him to have
in the way of "our power". Through Jesus, we can stand
against the devil and his wicked angels. We have to give
our authority (which we are born with as descendants of
Adam and Eve) back to God! God has said that He would
never go against what he has said. He will not go against
His Word. When He gave Adam dominion (authority on earth),
He would not take it back, unless Adam or his kind would
give it back to Him. It is up to Adam's race to use as
they see fit. They can either use it by themselves or
turn it back over to God to use as God sees fit. We can
exercise this option through prayers of faith and by
professing or claiming things by faith. If a man never
knew that he had a useful tool in his tool-box, he may
never use it. Once he knows about a useful tool, he can
learn to use it. Once he has become aware of this valuable
tool, he can do mightily.
This tool, dominion or authority, is at our disposal.
Jesus referred to it when He said, "Verily, I say unto
you, if you have faith, and doubt not,...if you say unto
this mountain 'Be thou removed, and cast into the sea';
it shall be done."(Matthew 21:21) You too, can have this
power through Jesus Christ.
Satan hates you, but God loves you and wants you to come
back to Him. It is your choice. No-one else can do it for
you. Not a priest administering last rites, not even your
parents. No-one but you can choose for you. Joshua said,
"...But as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."
(Joshua 24:15) Joshua made a good decision. He was going
to bring up his household in the fear and admonition of
the Lord. We likewise have to choose. We can either choose
to go 'our own way' (which is really Satan's way [the way
of the flesh]) or we can choose God's way which is to
believe in the Lord Jesus and serve Him only. We should
choose to serve Him only because He gave Himself for us,
as a sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2) and as a ransom (1Timothy 2:6).
Believe me, dear friend, God is not willing that anyone
should perish, but that all should come to repentance
(2Peter 3:9). Dear friend, it is my desire that you grow
in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Ronald E. Guilfoyle
