Saturday, November 5, 2011
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
ONE LITTLE WORD
Perhaps the most tragic stories told about the world wars are those told about men who died after the cease-fire had been officially called for by both sides. It seems that Hollywood likes to enlarge and tell stories of soldiers in the South Pacific, for instance, who never heard that the war was over and so continued to fight. In the former Yugoslavia, snipers in the hills spray death on the city -- even though a cease-fire is in effect. In the West Bank bombs explode and people are killed -- but a peace treaty has been signed. These are all tragic examples and in each of these cases the war is officially over, but battles continue.
The war over your soul is somewhat similar. God and Satan went at it. Satan had thousands of years to prepare to defeat the Son of God when He came to do His Father's will. The battle was fierce, but the Victor, Christ, was crowned. Even now He sits at the right hand of God -- the place of power and glory -- because He is victorious. The King of Kings did suffer loss -- He gave up His life, but even His death was part of the overall plan for victory.
The War is indeed over, but battles continue to this day between the forces of evil and the soldiers of the King. Despite Christ's decisive victory, Satan still mounts attacks against Christians. The Victor has been determined, the decision won. All that waits is His final victory march -- which is why the reformer Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn:
This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 262:3)
