We have an enemy

In the midst of all the divisions in the world today, it’s easy to think that our enemy is someone in another nation, another political party, or another religion.

Scripture says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”(Eph 6:12 – ESV)

Our enemy is not a person but the one our Gospel reading this week (Luke 11: 14-29) calls Beelzebub, or Satan in other parts of Scripture. Our enemy’s goal is to separate us from the love of God and love of others.  If we look across the street, across the isle, or across the world and hate another human being, our true enemy, Satan, has won.

We are not called to judge and condemn anyone, but in Christ – in the love, power and strength He makes available to us – we are called to love God and neighbor. This is our Great Command. In doing that, Jesus tells us that all the Law and Prophets are fulfilled (Matthew 22:37-40).

This is exactly how Jesus did not abolish the Law, but fulfilled it. In His unconditional love for us, Father-Son-Holy Spirit invited us to be one with the only Trinitarian God of love, forgiveness, and redemption. In His life, death, resurrection and ascension Jesus defeated the power of the enemy, and set us free to choose to walk in His Light. No longer under the dominion of the “powers of this present darkness”. Jesus often rebuked demons and casted them out – not the people demonized though. Those people were welcomed into the ‘fold’. Those people were set free to walk in His Light.

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

What a wonderful good news! In the midst of wars, hatred and division, we get to partner with Jesus in bringing Light wherever we go today. We get to choose LOVE. We get to rest assured that Jesus work is finished! The enemy is defeated.

We don’t wrestle with other humans to impose our worldview. We neither hate or despise people who try to impose their worldview. We pray! We wrestle in prayer. From the place of victory Jesus calls us to abide in Him, we stand with Him against anything contrary to loving God and loving others.

Later in Luke 11, Jesus continues to speak of His Light.

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” (Lk 11:33-36)

This Lent season, may we learn again and again to die with Christ. In His death, he defeated death, so it no longer has an eternal hold on us. May we display His Light, and carry on His work. May we not give even an inch of our hearts to the hold of Satan. May we partner with Jesus in announcing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Blessings and Peace,

Rev. Todd and Dr. Christiane