In the wake of recent happenings around the world, particularly in our nation, there are many who are asking questions, some genuine; out of a desire to really understand, and others just to make mockery of our faith.
We certainly do not have answers to every question, and will not pretend to do, neither is this a piece in the defense of God, for how can a mortal man defend the Almighty. This piece is simply to provide some insight based on what we know from the scriptures.
Satan is the god of this world, he gained lease of it when man fell in the beginning, giving rise to evil.
2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world… (NLT).
As long as Satan’s lease remains on the earth, there will be evil occurrences, because God is just and will not violate Satan’s lease which was a legal transaction when man fell.
Luke 4:6 …the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. (NLT).
Whatever represents stealing, killing, and destruction, is not from God but from the enemy, this is his core mission. While whatever represents life is from God.
John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (NLT).
Jesus came to save mankind, but not to terminate Satan's lease, his lease will run out at the end of the age.
Matthew 1:21 …thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins
God has made adequate provision for man through the finished work of Jesus Christ, to be in this earth and not be a subject of Satan.
Hebrews 2:14-15 …only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[a] the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. (NLT)
It means that we can enjoy protection in this realm through the grace of our Lord Jesus, when we fully embrace that grace, but the devil will often take advantage of our ignorance of this provision, and our weakness to strike in order to mock God.
Proverbs 11:9 …but through knowledge shall the just be delivered (KJV)
We have received power and authority over the evil works of Satan by what Jesus Christ has done for us, but not many see it, and very few take advantage of it.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (KJV)
We are not powerless and helpless like many suppose, neither are we at the mercy of the devil, we only need to rise up to take advantage of all we are and have in Christ.
In the end, in answering the particular question – why did something bad happen to so and so, when he/she was a Christian? In this walk of faith, we speak for ourselves, we do not answer for any other person. Matthew 16:13-19
God is God, we are men and we only know on parts, but we shall understand better by and by.
These basic truths will keep your heart firm, and hold your faith steady through the storms.
Shalom!
Thanks for this message, I'm blessed
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir, apt and so timely.....
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for this wonderful piece. God bless you sir.
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