A Love that Ovecomes All Evil

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)

So far, we have studied the flesh and the world. Today, we see Satan and his control of the world. It is not enough that we exist in this world, but let us add that we are forced into a system that opposes everything holy. We are being pressed into this mold the world has created as to what one should be. Then top that off with the very real and powerful influence of this system, that of the prince of the power of the air who is at work in the sons of disobedience. How are we expected to deal with the tidal wave of evil?

We exist in a world of human-created beliefs. Everything God desires from and for us is strategically and purposely being counter-created from the appearance of evil, onto that which the world considers to be normal and acceptable.

On 11 October 1798, John Adams penned this letter to the  Officers of The First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts,  “While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence. But should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation towards one another and towards foreign nations, which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practicing iniquity and extravagance and displays in the most captivating manner the charming pictures of candor, frankness, and sincerity, while it is rioting in rapine and insolence, this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world; because we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  Adams and many other of our founding fathers based the beginning of the country on religious foundations. Today, our own government is purposely creating laws that create immorality, are contrary to God, and persecute Christians. Many assume all of these things to be correct because it is all they have ever known.

We can grasp an understanding of this and then add to it the very real and demonic influences of the devil. There is a very real demonic world, an evil realm in which we can get into real trouble. We are driving on a narrow, righteous road, and on both sides are two very deep ditches. If we overestimate the influence of Satan or underestimate him, we can wind up in either ditch. 

Scripture is clear: we were or are a part of this world, and we partook in its immorality and evil. There is a spiritual reality from which we are influenced and pressured. This demonic reality is constantly working against us. A demonic principality is working to blind us and is constantly attempting to pull us back into or keep us rooted in the world. If you think you are innocent in this world, Paul reminds us, “Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:3) Paul is making a point, and he is going straight back to the world, humankind. Those not of this world are a minority and, according to recent surveys, a shrinking minority. This is why understanding the relationship between the world and Satan is so important because they, in tandem, attack us and attempt to turn us to the desires of the flesh.

Even if Satan would leave us alone, we would still pursue evil. Since the fall of Adam, our federal head, we have acted in opposition to God. We see it in both the Westminster and London confessionals. We work to please God and seek him in earnest, but the world says no, no, no, do not do that. It is not what you really want; here is what you want: your flesh, your sex, your lies, your riches. The devil knows your name; you know his voice, just as I do. You know when he calls you, and sometimes it is so hard to resist.

For us, the world can be comfortable. Do what you want, feel good, and you are free; you can make your own decisions about right and wrong. Being a Christian can be uncomfortable and challenging and make you feel isolated within your own family. We are all sinners, but sometimes we just cannot see it. You do not think about the little old lady down the street being a sinner, but she is, and we do not share the gospel with her because we refuse to believe she is depraved. It is the reason we stand around at a funeral saying our loved one is with God when, while they were alive, they wanted nothing to do with God.  We are all sinners, and unless someone shares the gospel with us or we read it, and God opens our eyes, we will never change. We must share the gospel with everyone because even if they are Christians, they still may not have a biblical understanding of the gospel or God. The gospel is not just for the lost; it is for the Christian every day, every week, and every month of the year.

Paul was clear in his direction to the church at Ephesus, and his message still rings true with us.  Once you understand you are a child of wrath, you understand there is nothing good about you at all. You need the good news of the gospel, not good advice. While we are and will always be sinners, the giant mountain of evil we face and share is not insurmountable. We just cannot do it on our own. To overcome the flesh, the world, and Satan, we need a greater love, a love of blood, shed that we may be forgiven. That we may be set apart from this world and have a Savior who can help us overcome our flesh through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is not enough to know about God; you must know Him personally, and He must know you. You must ask Him for salvation, but you must also profess your faith and place your trust in Him. When we are justified and made righteous before God, we are no longer of the world, and Satan no longer controls anything. But it is not Satan we are saved from. We are saved from the wrath of God. God sacrificed Himself so that we may be rejoined with Him as an heir in Christ, escaping the wrath of God and an eternity in hell where the fires never cease and the worm never dies.

If you do not know Christ, your chance is now; we may never have a tomorrow. Start your New Year with a new life, reborn in the Spirit. Ask Him to be your savior, place your faith and trust in Christ, and experience His grace, mercies, and salvation. Not only will you receive Him, but Christ will be glorified by you.

Peace and grace!