Monday, December 14, 2015

Pastor's Ponderings, December 14, 2015

Thank God For Our True Independence Day

On July 2, 1996, the film Independence Day depicted cunning aliens bent on invading and destroying the world.   A captured alien communicated with the President.
President Thomas Whitmore, “What do you want us to do?”
Captured Alien succinctly said, “Die. Die.”  Fortunately the good guys arrived in time and defeated an advanced alien race with a sneaky virus using one of the alien’s own captured ship. It was an exhilarating ending to a wonderful movie. However, this just happens in the movies.

In the Bible, there is another being that has a similar mission for real.  The thief comes to kill, steal, and to destroy (John 10:10).  He has the same hatred for the world.  He is even clearer in the book of 1st Peter where this enemy goes about in the world like a lion looking for an opportunity to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).  Good guys outsmarting this ancient villain will not win this battle.  Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior in the Garden of Eden, has already won our battle. It was in this location where God first pronounced that Jesus would ultimately defeat the devil (Genesis 3:15). We are to fight against the tricks of the evil one through faith in and obedience to the word of God (1 Timothy 6:12).

We enjoy good movies, but we are in a very deadly battle against an implacable foe that wants us dead, our influence stolen, and our significance destroyed.  Thank God for Jesus because He came to the earth so that we would be free and independent from the evil one (John 8:36).  Let us celebrate our independence day by praising and obeying Him because He has set us free!!

John 10:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1 Peter 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Genesis 3:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

1 Timothy 6:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

John 8:36
New International Version (NIV)
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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