The primary evidence
of genuine Christianity is the believer’s demonstration of love. Christ
declares, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love
for one another.” (John 13:35, NKJV)
Since JESUS CHRIST is
the ultimate manifestation of divine love, our definition of love is connected to His person and
work. To wit, LOVE IS THE CHRIST-ANOINTING – spiritually activated in our
thoughts, attitudes, words, decisions, actions and ministries – for the express
purpose of transforming lives, increasing faith, restoring relationships and
authenticating witness.
It is truly liberating
to realize that Satan has only ‘three tricks’ up his demonic sleeve! His
power is actually limited, not unlimited like God’s power, and by extension, it
is less than our spiritual authority when we walk in divine power.
According to I John 2:15-16, “ALL” that Satan has within this world system is
1) the lust of the FLESH, 2)
the lust of the EYES, and 3) the PRIDE of life.
Genesis 3:6 informs us
that Satan gained the upper hand over our fore-parents by launching these three
carnal weapons. “When the woman saw the tree was good for food [the lust
of the flesh] and that it was pleasant to the eyes [the lust of the eyes] and a
tree to be desired to make one wise [the pride of life], she took the fruit
thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
(Genesis 3:6)
Moreover, Satan
strategically deployed these same
temptations against Jesus. However, he was patently unsuccessful
in doing so. Following Jesus’ 40-day fast in wilderness (Matthew, chapter
4), He was systematically tempted of Satan via 1) a command to turn stones into
bread [the lust of the flesh], 2) a suggestion to throw himself down from the
pinnacle of the temple so that angels would be dispatched to rescue and reveal
His glory [the pride of life], and 3) a deceitful promise that he would be
given all the kingdoms of the world that Satan had shown to Him [the lust of
the eyes]. This final temptation was sheer lunacy since “the earth is
[already] the Lord’s [property] and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 24:1)
Nevertheless, how did
JESUS respond to satanic temptation? Not by entering into dialogue with
the devil…not by any ostentatious display of divine power…but by immediately
dispatching His primary weapon (and ours), which is THE WORD OF
GOD. HE ASSIGNED A SPECIFIC
WORD TO EVERY SATANIC TEMPTATION, thus dismissing and overcoming
it. Wow! We too walk in this same covenant of victorious faith.
Listen with your spirit to what THE WORD has to say about YOU and your capacity
to overcome:
For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
I John 5:4 (NKJV)
For whatever is born
of God overcomes the world. And this
is the victory that has overcome the world—our
faith.
OUR
GOD, Who is love
personified, offers ten specific promises to every winner-believer who OVERCOMES. Because of our faithfulness, 1) We will eat
from the tree of life (Revelation 2:7); 2) We will not be hurt by the
second death (Revelation 2:11); 3) We will eat of the hidden manna (Revelation
2:17); 4) We will be given a white stone with a name inscription known
only to God and the receiving believer (Revelation 2:7); 5) We will be
given power over the nations (Revelation 2:26); 6) We will be clothed in
white garments (Revelation 3:5); 7) We will be confessed by Christ before
the Father and the angels (Revelation 3:5); 8) We will dwell forever in
the temple of God (Revelation 3:12); 9) We will be personally inscribed
with the name of God and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12); and finally, 10)
We will inherit all things as the children of God. (Revelation 21:7)
All of these benefits
are made available with the simple conditions that we accept His covenantal
gift of grace, which is the sacrificial atonement of God in Christ, and that we
remain faithful to Him, i.e. to following His Word. (John 10:21 and Revelation
2:10)
This is possible ONLY
because of (and by way of) GOD’S
TRANSFORMING LOVE. The Apostle Peter put it this way: “His divine
power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through
the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been
given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may
be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust.” (II Peter 1:3-5)
Once we have been thus
transformed, it is our signal honor to become “stewards of the mysteries of
God” (I Corinthians 4:1) – with the distinct privilege of serving as AMBASSADORS OF THE KING OF KINGS within
this fallen world system. LOVE
TRANSFORMS and infuses life into dying souls and dire
circumstances. So ask yourself this vitally important question: “WHAT AM I DOING TO EXEMPLIFY AND SHARE GOD’S
TRANSFORMING LOVE?” Now get busy
fulfilling the promise and power of God that is seeded in you!
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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