An Enemy of God
Today, may the grace of God permit my feeble hands to offer encouragement to all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls. As Christians there are many giants that we must face as we walk through this life bearing the cross of our Savior, holding forth the word of truth. So, we must gird ourselves with heavenly armor and take holy violence against the prince of this world. But rest assured Christian, as you do battle with the Serpent of old, there will be moments of weakness that will rise up in your flesh and doubt will spring up in your heart crying, “I can’t overcome this. This is too much for me to bear. What will I ever do?”
Christian, you must be resolved in your mind not to allow these false emotions to dictate the realities of what the Holy Scriptures have said concerning the freedom given to you that is in Christ Jesus. To doubt the love, wisdom and fidelity of God; to doubt the perfection of Christ’s work; To doubt the operation of the Spirit in the heart weakens our understanding of the precious grace which God Himself has given to us. Beloved, whenever the soul sinks beneath the pressure of doubt, it weakens our view of Jesus’ death. So then, unsheathe the sword of God’s holy word and be led by its truth as a lamp shining in the midst of darkness, “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Christian, if you are truly in Christ, there is no chasm too deep, no sin too vile, and no demon too strong to tear you out of the hands of the One Who bore your punishment on the cross. If you have laid your hands on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and made it your own, rest assured that you can never perish. Let me reassure you of this beloved of God. Behold the naked body of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus, fastened to the cross; see His blood that cleansed you flowing out of His wounds; note the scourges upon His skin; observe the iron driven through His hands and feet. Look upon the anguish of His face as the crown of thorns pierce through the skin on His head. Oh the pangs, the mockery, the bitterness, and inward grief He suffered for you. Come now, you who doubt. If Jesus loved you this much, when you hated Him, how much more now that you accept Him, will He never cast you aside.
So seize the moment and wage the good warfare against all the temptations that seek to lure you away from the Lover of your soul. When the fiery darts of the evil one come your way, and you feel as if you are going to yield to them, go to the foot of the cross and gaze upon the crucified Who died for your sins. Go to the tomb where Jesus laid and see that it is empty. Impress upon your mind that He has risen from the dead and is at the right hand of God praying for you. Listen to the Holy Spirit affirm to your spirit that you are a child of God and nothing can ever change that. Then turn from your sin and set your face toward the heavenly Jerusalem, where one day you will see Jesus face to face. May God grant you the strength to persevere until the end.