A Type of War

When we decide to follow God, many aspects of our lives change because our desires and goals change. Nevertheless, deposits of the former life remain hidden deep in our hearts. Although we might try to forget them, those former desires and goals will hang around to trouble us.

God knows all about holdovers from our past. He can arrange circumstances to remind us of hidden motives—bring them to our conscious minds. When this happens, we experience a type of war. Paul described it this way: For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do . . . What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:15,24 NKJV)

Every Christian is acquainted with the struggle. But just as God knows how to expose hidden motives, He knows how to help us deal with them. When we walk with Him, we know we’re forgiven and acceptable in His eyes. This gives us courage, and it causes us to respond to Him. Then He somehow works to bring about internal change.

Through the struggle, we can rest because we know His promise. [T]here is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [who] set me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1,2b)

Originally published July 21, 1989.

Satan's Offer

Jesus came to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. Satan knew as much when he tempted Jesus. He met Jesus in the Wilderness, gave Him a grand tour by supernaturally showing Him all the kingdoms of the world.” Then Satan said, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Mt. 4:8b,9 NKJV)

Jesus didn’t argue with Satan’s offer or logic. He knew Satan wanted to be worshiped; he knew Satan was god of this world and that the world was Satan’s to offer. It might have seemed that taking the offer would have been an easy way out.

But Jesus knew the offer didn’t fit His Heavenly Father’s purpose.

Even more important, the kingdoms of the world—regardless of their glory—were not what Jesus had in mind at the time. He had come to establish a different kind of kingdom. When He began His ministry, He had an unique message. We read, From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (v. 17)

Satan offers the world in a negative, selfish package; Jesus offers heavenly virtues here an in our afterlife. Like Jesus during His earthly ministry, we live in the world. And like Jesus, we can receive heavenly virtues and we can look forward. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Originally published March 9, 1990.