God is furious, not against us, but against the things that entangle us. God is all about rescuing and saving; He is passionate and even vengeful about it! Think on that just for a moment. He comes with much vengeance and He wants to save us; that is why Jesus was manifested, to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Our Father wants us to succeed and enter eternity like Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy 4:7 who fought the good fight and finished the race. You can see Godly ferocity manifested in Paul by the way he preached the Gospel, casted out demons and moved in the gifts of the Spirit. Also, in Peter, who opposed sorcerers, preached boldly everywhere he went and as tradition holds, was crucified upside down on a cross because he thought himself unworthy to be crucified in the same manner of Jesus. Just like these men of faith and tenacity that gained fortitude through the trials they faced, we too need to finish strong bringing God the glory as we enter into eternity.
However, the age old challenge still remains – and that is that often times believers don’t want to be saved from their issues. Instead, they want their earthly entanglement and even enjoy it calling for God only when the pleasure of their entanglement bears the fruit of torment. It needs to be said that we cannot perform to earn God’s favor or love and that His grace is beyond comprehension. However, this does not mean that we should be wicked, lazy servants who do nothing with what we have been given as seen in the parable of the servants in Matthew 25. It is so important to grasp the understanding of God’s grace! Once we understand the role God’s grace plays in our lives, it ought to give us all the more vigor to stir ourselves up in our inner man, cast aside every weight that the world may offer us and run the race that has been set before us! The path is set; it is the Word of God we run on.
“I will run the course of your commandment,for you shall enlarge my heart.” Psalms 119:32 (NKJV)
Running in the path of His commands by the Spirit sets you free from all entanglement, which opens the door for the Spirit to destroy future works of the enemy that may try to entangle your life.
Consider this: Our mighty Father had the choice to leave us after the garden, but instead, He initiated the plan of salvation by making a way for Jesus to enter the scene. There was no obligation that God had, no covenant at that time, only His love towards us. It was His desire for His family that caused Him to act. God hated what happened with the devil in the garden. That is why immediately the Lord said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15, “You will bruise his heel,"however, “He will crush your head.”
I can almost hear the Father say to the Son right before He emptied Himself and came to earth, “Go get My kids back and while You’re at it … burn down the devil’s playground.” I can just hear the Son respond, “Father, it will be My privilege.”
Think of how wonderful God’s vengeance is against the enemy of your soul! He began plotting all the way from Genesis to Matthew a plot of revenge on the devil! From before your first breath, He has purposed to save you, and any enemy you face today is no match for Jesus! John 10 says Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly! The devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Our part is to choose the life that He came to give! To live free of entanglement, free of our hearts condemning us (1 John 3:20). Those of you that believe in Jesus, that are washed in the Blood of the Lamb – enjoy your salvation! Walk in liberty! And, “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee,” as it says in James 4:7! There is no longer a single reason for you to wait in fear or lie in torment. Romans 16:19 states that God will crush the enemy under our feet! Let God’s vengeance crush the works of the devil in your life continually. Continue pressing toward the mark, and let nothing persuade you away from God’s call! I say we punish spiritual darkness by walking in the light today!
For the Glory of Jesus,
Joseph Zupetz
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