Focus on Jesus THE ACCUSER CAST DOWN
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Rev. 12:10.
Satan's charge that God could not be just and at the same time forgive sinners was answered at the cross. Another charge that the enemy leveled against God was that even if sinners could be forgiven, God's law could not be kept. He accused God of making a law that was impossible to obey. In Christ's Object Lessons, page 314, this charge is specifically stated: "Satan...claimed that it was impossible for man to obey God's commandments." Let's not forget who it is who makes this claim. This is Satan's claim, this is his charge. And anyone else who claims that it is impossible for man to obey God's commandments is simply echoing Satan's original charge. It is true that in our own strength we are not able to obey. "But Christ came in the form of humanity, and by His perfect obedience He proved that humanity and divinity combined can obey every one of God's precepts....When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ."--Ibid.
Since Calvary, Satan's charge that mankind cannot obey God's commandments has become a major issue in the judgment of God. This issue wasn't completely answered by Jesus' life; it is a charge that has to be answered by God's people as well. And right here is a problem area in the popular Christian world. It has always been much the same. If people hear about the finished work of Christ and how our salvation is certain because of the cross, they will say "Amen" and "Parise the Lord." But when they hear about God's power to overcome sins, about victory and obedience, they get strangely quiet.
Many people are frightened about the possibility of overcoming. For some reason there seems to be a fear that grips people concerning victory and obedience. It is becoming an unpopular topic even within our church, and this trend ought to say something to us. It ought to say something to people who have a special mission, a mission that goes beyond that of Luther or the Reformers. We have a unique contribution to make to the religious world, and obedience through faith is a significant part of it. We still have a part to play in honoring God's name before the world.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Rev. 12:10.
Satan's charge that God could not be just and at the same time forgive sinners was answered at the cross. Another charge that the enemy leveled against God was that even if sinners could be forgiven, God's law could not be kept. He accused God of making a law that was impossible to obey. In Christ's Object Lessons, page 314, this charge is specifically stated: "Satan...claimed that it was impossible for man to obey God's commandments." Let's not forget who it is who makes this claim. This is Satan's claim, this is his charge. And anyone else who claims that it is impossible for man to obey God's commandments is simply echoing Satan's original charge. It is true that in our own strength we are not able to obey. "But Christ came in the form of humanity, and by His perfect obedience He proved that humanity and divinity combined can obey every one of God's precepts....When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ."--Ibid.
Since Calvary, Satan's charge that mankind cannot obey God's commandments has become a major issue in the judgment of God. This issue wasn't completely answered by Jesus' life; it is a charge that has to be answered by God's people as well. And right here is a problem area in the popular Christian world. It has always been much the same. If people hear about the finished work of Christ and how our salvation is certain because of the cross, they will say "Amen" and "Parise the Lord." But when they hear about God's power to overcome sins, about victory and obedience, they get strangely quiet.
Many people are frightened about the possibility of overcoming. For some reason there seems to be a fear that grips people concerning victory and obedience. It is becoming an unpopular topic even within our church, and this trend ought to say something to us. It ought to say something to people who have a special mission, a mission that goes beyond that of Luther or the Reformers. We have a unique contribution to make to the religious world, and obedience through faith is a significant part of it. We still have a part to play in honoring God's name before the world.
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