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| Pastor Andy Keltner |
The Devil's First Rule
Jesus says that he is the way the truth and the life. Jesus says to "know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). The devil's first rule is to get us to forget Jesus. This leads us to the ridiculous conclusion that faith and feeling equal the same thing. I might not always feel God's power and presence, but that does not mean he is not there. In fact, God is not reliant on me for anything. He is who he is. Jesus came and paid the price for my sin. I am saved. This does not depend on anything I do or feel. It is truth. My salvation is a gift of God. Satan's great lie is that it depends on something I do or something I feel to make me saved.
Satan is the deceiver. His first great lie comes in the garden when he asks the woman, "Did God actually say?" (Genesis 3:1). Satan challenges God's authority and word. He tries to convince us that his lie is the truth and God's truth is a lie. When we ask the question "Did God actually say?" this leads us down a path where we question the power and the promises of God.
The great lie Satan foists on us is that Jesus is not the answer, but the answer is in ourselves. Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Jesus is always the right answer. He is true God and true man. He is the Word of God revealed in the Scripture which is the inspired inerrant Word of God. When we turn to the Bible for our strength and guidance we break the Devil's rule. The scary truth is we live in Biblically ignorant society. We are bombarded by messages that Christian truths are fairy tales and the teaching of Scripture is antiquated and irrelevant.
This year, 2014 Anno Domini, which is the shortened version of "in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ," I pray you will take a bold and radical step and open your Bible and read. Join a Bible study. Start a Bible Study. Read your "Portals of Prayer" daily. Have family devotions. Read the Bible with your spouse. Read Bible stories with your children. Listen to the Bible on your MP3. Open your Bible App on your smart phone. Read, study and learn God's truth and you will be able to stand firm against the Devil's lies. God really did create the heavens and earth. God really does love us. God holds us to high standards. We really do sin daily. God forgives sinners in the person and work of his Son Jesus Christ. God has purposed us for life as his beloved children. He equips us and empowers us with gifts from his Spirit. God's Spirit works through the Word and Sacrament ministry of his church. We are beloved children of God. As we enter into 2014 in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should celebrate and live this truth.
Beware when you read the Word of God; you will be confronted by truth that is not consistent with the ways of this world. You will be confronted by God's Law. In fact, by reading the Bible you will find that God shows you your sinfulness. Then you will be comforted because you will see the power of God's mercy. Jesus died for sinners. We are reconciled to God through Christ and we are given the ministry of reconciliation. The Devil wants us to forget Jesus and rely on ourselves abstaining from reading His Word. I am going to break the Devil's rules and live under God's gracious promise. By God's grace I am going to confess Christ as Lord and study God's truth revealed in Scripture. Join me.
Pastor Andy
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