Monday, August 1, 2016
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
IS THERE A REAL BATTLE BETWEEN TRUTH AND ERROR?
IT IS UNDENIABLE that we live in a fallen world. Death, sickness, and hopelessness are all around us. So many people seem to believe there is no god and that we are all the result of a cosmic accident. But could that really be? Do those same people deny evil spirits too?
The Word of God says something much different and much more comforting! In Genesis chapter three we read that Satan, that crafty serpent, tempted Adam and Eve to sin. But the LORD God was undeniably merciful and did not destroy them for their disobedience and rebellion against Him. In fact, He gave them an eternal hope in His promise right then and there to send His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to crush and defeat the work of the devil (Satan) once and for all (Genesis 3:16).
What a hopeful and confident message of love this is that our Heavenly Father repeats to you and me throughout His Word! Just as in Romans 8:1 which promises, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." How do we walk "according to the Spirit?" Well, we certainly don't walk with the devil and his sinful, lying ways. Rather, we walk in this joy of the Gospel of Jesus our Savior's love and forgiveness! We walk in this peace, while finding strength to "be strong ... in the Lord," fighting to keep and share this truth about His victory, for us!
Jesus, my Truth, my Way, My sure, unerring Light,
On Thee my feeble soul I stay, Which Thou wilt lead aright!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 433:1)
