For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Col. 1:13-14 NIV
God Is Sufficient-2 20082020
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Today’s devotion is a continuation from yesterday, where we realised that worship of the Almighty God and His Christ was complete and so we do not need any addition to what has been handed over to us as Christians. That as Christians, we are not alienated in anyway from the challenges of life but those challenges are normal challenges that are common to all as it is due to the inherited curse and the constant attempts of Satan to frustrate us in our decision to worship God.
Definitely, none of the challenges of the true Christian can be attributed to the activities of all those human enemies. The Bible makes if clear that the battles of our lives are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers in the heavenly places – Eph. 6:10-17. That is why our weapons of warfare also are not carnal – 2Cor. 10:4. Such are the weapons we get access to in our new state of being followers of Christ.
This information was what was contained in the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians and which also applies to Christians today, making them understand that the decision they took to take up membership of the body of Christ automatically gave them the following spiritual benefits and advantages as listed in the scripture for today:
1. The decision to worship the Almighty God as the only true god, and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior instantly rescued the Christian from the dominion of darkness – Col. 1.13a; Col. 2:9. This means that the true Christian is no longer affected by the activities of darkness. This does not require any additional step to be taken by the Christian but it is an inherent advantage that comes with the spiritual transformation process when the Christian becomes born again. In that new state, Christians are no longer subject to the controls and influences of those oppressive forces and the agents of darkness. Thus the life challenges faced by the Christian will definitely not be due to the activities from those sources. Where there is evidence of linkage of such life challenges to these sources, then it can be concluded that such a person was never a Christian or has backslidden. The consolation for the Christian faced with these life challenges, arising from either the curse or the activities of Satan, also lies in the fact that, the decision to worship the only true God automatically bestows the ability to overcome both as the new person becomes endued with the ability of the Almighty God through the Holy Spirit – Col. 1:14; Col. 2:15; Acts 1:8. So each time the curse tries to come into our lives, reminding ourselves of who we are in God is all that is needed as we patiently await the implementation of His redemption plan to get us out of that situation. Because these are normal challenges of life (1Cor. 10:13), there is the assurance that as true worshippers of the most high, we will overcome them in no order way than in Jesus name. Amen.
2. The same decision and acceptance also made us citizens of the kingdom of God living on earth – Col. 1:13b. Citizenship of a country comes with some entitlements which will be dependent on the clout of that country in the comity of nations. The kingdom in reference here cannot be compared with any earthly kingdom in any way. It is indeed the most powerful kingdom both physically and spiritually. As citizens of this kingdom but resident on earth, we carry a diplomatic status that makes all non-citizens respect and honour us and that includes Satan and his angels. This is because the Prince of this kingdom had swallowed up death and defeated and disgraced Satan and his agents by making a public spectacle of them – Col. 2:15. In this kingdom, there is no room for witches, wizards and all those evil powers and so it is not possible for them to have access to the Christian just as Satan himself revealed – Job 1:10. Therefore, there can be no other challenge that can show up before the Christian which will be different from that which is common to all men and that also, God has provided a way out – 1Cor. 10:13. All we need do in such situations is to remain in Him and there will be nothing to fear.
3. The decision to worship only the true God, redeemed Christians from every effect of sin – Col. 1:14; Col. 2:11-14. By this, even the effect of the challenge due to curse, is eliminated once we remain in him. The born again Christian will not be affected by all those challenges even when they exist as those challenges will not be able to touch him/her. The implication is that even their sin can no longer hold them back just as the curse that arose from the sin becomes equally powerless. That decision to be born again, saved them from all the effects (psychological, emotional, etc.) that their sin may have brought on them.
In the light of this decision, the major obstacles before the Christian in becoming an overcomer has been eliminated and this is what provides the assurance that the reward that will come to the Christian, no matter the situation, if he/she continues to follow in the instructions of God. When the question, “if God be for us, who can be against us – Rom. 8:31”, is asked, we can definitely see that there can be no one or nothing except us. We are the only one that will remain as the possible obstacle to making a success out of life. This is because with all that is included in the package that comes with that decision to live the new lifestyle, Christians are always going to be victorious no matter how difficult the times may be. All that needs to be done is to remain in faith in the Lord. There is no need seeking additional support from any other god as the Almighty God is abundantly capable of doing beyond what we can ever want or imagine – Eph. 3:20.
Remain with Him in faith and all those challenges will soon pass away, and you will become an overcomer. That will be your portion in Jesus name. Amen.
