Monday, March 12, 2007
John 16:7-11 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."
OF JUDGMENT
Through the gospel the Holy Spirit tells the world also that the ruler of this world is condemned. And this indeed is joyous news. For he who has tormented us and has had such power over us, to cause us to live in sin, as filthy, dirty pigs is cast out and no longer has any power over us. Learn this word and remember it well for though Satan tries many threats they are absolutely nothing, yet if we forget that he has already been judged, the threats seem real enough and would turn us back from the path that God has set before us.
In the day when you are tormented by temptation and think, "I cannot help it. How can I overcome this temptation? Surely I cannot, it is too strong for me," remember Satan is powerless. Though the temptation may seem strong, it has no power over you in Christ.
In the day when you give in to temptation and Satan torments you with sin and you think, "How can I be saved? How can I be a Christian when I constantly give in to the desires of my flesh?" remember Satan is judged. He has no power over you to condemn you of any sin, neither has sin any power over you ever again. You are saved by Christ's blood.
In the day when Satan through the world tells you that the way of the world is the way to happiness; in the day when the world ridicules you for your devotion to God; in the day when you suffer humiliation, remember Satan is judged. He has no power over you. It is the world that will suffer humiliation and pain and suffering, not those who trust in God.
