Satan’s Choice of Words
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by Jon Buck
Like Saying, “There is no God.”
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by Jason Park
Psalm 53:1–3
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good.
2 God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God.
3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
We know this passage well from Paul’s use of it Rom 3:10-12. It is a cornerstone of the doctrine of total depravity.
I’m assuming that none of you reading this has said, “There is no God.” I’m assuming that we don’t see ourselves in the group in which “no one…does good” and where everyone “has turned aside…become corrupt.” We’re grateful for our redemption from our sins by Christ.
But have we ever said in our heart, “Where is God?” Or, “God is not in this!”? Have we ever said anything that resembled such practical atheism? Maybe during a trial, when we lost something, when we were down? Maybe we haven’t doubted God’s existence. But have we doubted God’s involvement and care in our lives?
I can’t imagine there’s any believer reading this who has genuinely said, “There is no God.” But I also can’t imagine there’s any believer reading this who hasn’t genuinely felt as though God wasn’t there in a given situation. Maybe you didn’t even consciously think such a thought, but you were frustrated, angry, scared, or sorrowful. We have these emotions when we say in our heart (consciously or not) that God has abandoned us.
I’ve been there. In the pit. Crying out, “How long?” Angry at God for some trial or some perceived good He wasn’t giving me. Hurt that He wasn’t helping as quickly or as tangibly as I thought He should. I didn’t say, “There is no God,” but did I ever come close.
It’s only when God awakens me by His word that I realize I spiral downward when I want control…when I want results…when I want God to bend His will to mine (James 4:1ff).
Thank God, however, that He doesn’t operate by my timetable or buckles to my every demand. I can’t imagine what monstrosities I would create or what monster I would become if I got everything I wanted when I wanted it. God alone is wise and good so that by His power He can execute a perfectly wise and good plan that glorifies Him and blesses us. No amount of human wisdom or righteousness could ever do that.
God is on His holy throne. And on His throne, He loves me and tells me He will never forsake me. And because He is my Father, I can trust Him in the lowest points of my life. In fact, I can trust Him with my whole life. He’s given me eternal life after all!
In the pain, He is right there with me. His Spirit tells me so as He gently whispers, “Look up. There is a cross. That is your hope. That is your peace. Rest there, and find your burden lifted, even if nothing around you changes.”
Devotional on Love, Part 1 - Annoying
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By Jon Buck
Build with Bricks, NOT Air
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by Jon Buck
“…knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” ~ 1 Cor 8:1
Paul writes to the Corinthian church about food sacrificed to idols. Importantly, Paul is appealing to the church to be very careful with participating in certain actions because they can cause others to stumble.
However, some in the church in Corinth had appealed to the fact that everyone ‘knows’ that idols are nothing but wood or stone, and therefore, with that knowledge, they should feel free to eat the meat.
In other words, the church was using their ‘knowledge’ to act against Paul’s instruction regarding idol worship.
Tricky situation
Paul’s answer needed to be carefully crafted. It is true that idols are just wood and stone, and therefore, the knowledge that the Corinthians held was true! However, that knowledge had caused them to act in proud ways, even to the point of falling into idol worship.
Paul’s answer needed to affirm the truth but critique the conclusion.
Two ways to build
His answer is that there are two ways to build—one is to build with air, and the other is to build with bricks.
Paul says that knowledge alone ‘puffs up’. When we think we know something but do not have love, it does nothing but fill us with pride. It’s true, knowledge is growth, in one sense, but it is growth in proud self-righteousness, and is not pleasing to God.
But Paul says that there is a better way. Love, he says, edifies. The word used is for the building of a house, and meant to strengthen something.
Paul wants them to build with knowledge, but knowledge with love. Love builds with bricks in ourselves and in others because it is not simply intellectual, but it is connected to God Himself.
The Corinthians were relying on their knowledge and were acting in pride, and as a result were hurting others. But Paul’s answer is not to reject knowledge, but to let knowledge be influenced by love.
When we truly, from the heart, love others, we can share knowledge with them and use our knowledge for their good as we seek to grow them into the image of Christ.
Both knowledge and love build, but love builds to last.
Through Trials to Christ and His Word
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by Jason Park
It’s been all too easy for me to drown in the social media sea of posts and stories about our current state of national unrest. Reading the massive amount of material is one thing; to digest it all is quite another.
If you’re like me, watching and reading the news hasn’t quieted my heart. It hasn’t pointed me to Christ. It’s stirred up anxiety, fear, hopelessness, and confusion.
Now, this post isn’t about how to think about our state of affairs, which is important and must be addressed with biblical principles.
But this post is about recognizing our personal sinfulness in the midst of our two current trials: the COVID-19 lockdown and now, the massive upheaval regarding race in our country.
Trials expose us for who we really are, don’t they? They expose what our true gods are: security, power, pleasure, praise of men, etc. They can also accelerate the growth process as they purify our faith so that what remains is faith’s tested genuineness (1 Pet 1:7).
By God’s grace, any trial distresses us only for “a little while” in light of eternity (1 Pet 1:6). Because eternity is the true time scale we live by – whether we’re conscious of it or not. By that scale, the things that men live for and root their lives in are temporary. But the word of God, the gospel, endures forever (1 Pet 1:25). And because it endures forever, we, God’s people, will endure forever. No earthly threat can take away our faith or our future with God. He protects us by His power through our faith in Him (1 Pet 1:5).
So, if it’s not Christ we turn to today, who is it? What is it? And how effective have these substitutes been in providing joy, peace, or rest? What pundit or prognosticator, even the best of them, has allayed our fears, soothed our consciences, or helped us feel stable in times of great instability? None! Only Christ can do that! And we see Him, feel Him, and know Him through His word.
Let God use today’s trials to reveal what’s really going on in our hearts. And as He does this, let’s commit to confessing our sins, believing in Christ for the forgiveness, and walking in the Spirit to love God and love one another. Let’s cling to His promises. Let’s proclaim them to our own hearts and to one another.
Nothing I’ve written is new. In fact, it’s all quite basic. But in times of distress, we need the basics; they serve as our foundation…so that when all else crumbles, we’re standing firm, not in ourselves, but in our Rock and Redeemer and His impregnable word.
Liberal Love
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by Jason Park
The law of love, originally found in Lev 19:18 and reiterated throughout the NT (cf. Matt 7:12; Matt 22:39; Mark 12:31; Rom 13:8-10; Jas 2:8), is the backbone of all interpersonal relationships. Without it the church loses its witness for Christ in the world (John 13:35).
Now, love has teeth to it: the affection of love expresses itself in actions of love. And those actions are summed up as doing good. In Gal 6:9-10, Paul calls us to “not lose heart in doing good…while we have opportunity” to “all people…especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Doing good means anything from clothing to food (Jas 2:15) to any of the world’s goods (1 Jn 4:16).
James 2:8 says fulfilling this law of love requires impartiality, which in James’s context amounts to not making distinctions between the rich and poor. An impartial person shows mercy to the poor, many of whom God has chosen to be “rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (Jas 2:5).
Impartial love and mercy expressed in good deeds to all people, especially to the church – that is the gospel’s call on our lives. As He loved us sacrificially, we must love others in the same way.
This kind of love requires a listening ear to believers who are different from us – ethnically, socioeconomically, or otherwise. This requires an empathetic heart that tries its best to see the world through the eyes of those who are different so that we weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15). This requires a courageous heart that will do justice when opportunities present themselves (Jas 1:27; 5:4-6; cf. Matt 23:23).
Listen. Empathize. Show courage. But as we try, we will face so many of our own prejudices, assumptions, and biases such that we will either stop trying or double-down on our current, sometimes misinformed or even misguided positions.
That’s when we must turn to Jesus Christ. Turn to Him, and see His listening and sympathetic heart (Heb 4:14-16), His advocacy for us in our sins (1 John 2:1-2), and His immense love for us in facing down the wrath we deserved so that we would not face God’s judgment, but only know His fatherly love.
Let the love shown and showered from above in the person and work of our Savior free us from our selfishness to liberally love one another.
Growing by Speaking Truth in Love
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by Jon Buck
“…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…” ~ Eph 5:15
These days, social media is exploding with debates regarding the notions of racism, oppression, violence, looting and the like. Perhaps you, like me, have seen well-meaning Christian brothers and sisters venting their frustrations toward one another regarding these issues.
These are certainly polarizing times. Nevertheless, we must speak at times.
However, we must remember that growth into Christlikeness will not be the result of public bickering. If we are to grow, and if we are to genuinely help others grow, the means of that will be speaking truth in love.
Speaking in love
We must remember that love for others must govern all our conversations. We must start with a heart of love for those who may disagree with us.
Further, Peter tells us that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). There may be a host of things that others say that we disagree with, but we need not correct everyone.
Finally, speaking in love may be most wisely done in private. Facebook, Instagram and the like are public forums. Would it not be better to have these discussions in private? Most social media platforms allow private or direct messaging. Rather than defile the name of Christ by bickering publicly, private conversations might serve much better.
Speaking the truth
Nevertheless, while love must govern, we must also be willing to speak the truth. Often, when dialogue is heated, we may think that silence is best. But we are called to speak the truth.
Truth, particularly in the context here, is sound doctrine. We must be willing to speak sound words from the Scripture during times of unrest.
It is not enough to offer personal opinions, to demand yes or no answers, or to argue with statistics. Of course these may have their places. But truth must come from Scripture. We must carefully and patiently consider how the Scriptures speak to the issues surrounding us, rather than by simply venting our emotions.
To speak the truth in love is difficult. Nevertheless, this is the only means of growth for us, and for others. Let’s pray together that the Lord would give us wisdom during these complex times.
Resetting Expectations, Rejoicing in Graces
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by Jon Buck
“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”
~ John 2:24-25
Observing all that is happening around us these days can be profoundly sorrowful. The suffering during these past months, weeks, and days has left my heart troubled.
The death and severe illness from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global economic struggles caused by closures.
The systemic racism that has again and again appeared around us.
The unravelling of society as riots have exploded around the nation and the world.
These days, watching the news has been deeply disheartening.
What should I expect?
However, while sorrow and pity and empathy over suffering are good in my heart, I must be careful to guard against thinking that humanity is capable of better. We are not, apart from Christ.
Jesus Himself was unwilling to entrust Himself to any man because He already knew what was in the heart of man. The same heart that led Cain to kill Abel, that led Lamech to murder for offense, that led Israel to pursue idols, that led Pilate to murder worshippers in the temple was the same heart that resided in everyone around Jesus. He didn’t trust them one bit.
And that same heart is in every unbeliever around us. There is no such thing as ‘common decency.’ Apart from the mercy of God through the Gospel, our feet are ‘swift to shed blood’ as Paul said (Rom 3:15).
Rejoicing in grace
However, while the bleak reality of human depravity is all around us, I must remember to thank God for His common and special grace. We live among lions, but God has seen fit to provide grace in the storm.
Things are not yet as bad as they could be. Generations before us have seen far greater atrocities. Among the sorrows all around us, the Lord has provided moments of peace, moments when things are not as bad as they could be.
And, praise God, the church has risen up to work for the sake of truth in many corners of our nation. Brothers of different races embrace one another. The work of the Gospel is uniting many.
My prayer in these days is that I will remember that man is terribly wicked, that the Gospel is profoundly powerful, and that love will bear good fruit among the nations, by God’s grace.
Wrath and Righteousness
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by Jon Buck
“…for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” ~ James 1:20
James tells us that wrath never produces righteousness.
The injustice that surrounds the George Floyd case should cause righteous anger to well up in our hearts. To watch a man murdered is an awful thing.
The danger with anger, however, is that it grows rapidly when it isn’t carefully checked. The anger over George Floyd’s death has grown—the riots taking place around our country highlight that unchecked anger is explosive.
The problem, of course, is that while the anger may be understandable, it will never result in righteousness. On the contrary, such displays of anger will only result in continued struggle on both sides. Acts of violence lead to fear, and fear leads to acts of violence—the cycle continues again and again.
My own problem
As I watch events unfold, I am particularly convicted about times when I am angry. Whether with members of my family, circumstances, or others, anger never produces righteousness.
The problem is that I have convinced myself that I can effect change through my displeasure. I take circumstances into my own hands, lash out in anger (whether verbally or internally in my heart), and try to ‘fix’ the situation.
However, just as the current violence does not and will not result in righteous equality, even so, my anger will not produce righteousness.
Remembering God’s sovereignty
The key to changing this perspective is to remember that God is sovereign. He is in perfect control over the circumstances that I face. My anger simply reminds me that I have stopped trusting in Him and in His goodness.
Thirsting for God
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by Jason Park
How long does it take you to get used to something? A new home? A new city? A new job? A new car? At most a few months for the bigger things on this list? Probably.
I’ve read Psalms 42 and 43 many, many times. How many times have I read the first two verses on the comparison of the deer panting for water and the psalmist’s soul panting for God? So, upon encountering this image today, guess what my mind did?
It flitted over the verses looking for something else to strike my fancy. I had become so used to vv. 1-2. But by becoming accustomed to it, I betrayed my unbelief in the power of the Word, my lack of expectancy for the Spirit to open my eyes to behold wonderful things from the Law.
Now, the two psalms are stitched together by a common refrain of despair and hope (42:5, 11; 43:5). Despair from from being chased out of Jerusalem by his enemies (vv. 4, 6) and being taunted by them (vv. 3, 9, 10). Hope in the God who commands His lovingkindness for and gives His presence to His people. And that despair drives his deep thirst for God, for nearness to Him, especially in public worship (v. 4).
How easy is it for me to gloss over thirsting after God. How easy is it to acknowledge that it’s a good yearning and move on.
But I wonder, where is my thirsting for God? When was the last time I genuinely thirsted for Him? When has His presence been my help? And how do I get used to, “So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”?
Yes, trials brought out this psalmist’s thirst for God. But it only brought out what was already there. Now, I know I have a new heart with new desires for God. But they feel so weak at times. Too many times. I’ve gotten used to not thirsting for God.
But like the psalmist, instead of just staying stuck in despair, I can turn to Christ, to His presence for help and find that He is “God my exceeding joy.” He is my my living hope.
Just by refocusing my mind on Christ excites a thirst for more of Him. It may start small, but soon that little bit of Christ taken in and will actually deepen my thirst and satisfy my soul at the same time.
Loving One Another During COVID Reopening
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by Jon Buck
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” ~ Rom. 12:10
The current politically charged climate with reopening churches has led us to consider how to best approach moving forward together toward reopening.
The difficulty, of course, is that there are strong opinions regarding when and how to reopen, as well as the danger of the virus, and the best ways to protect those we love.
Issues of the conscience
The difficulty for each of us is that there is nothing written in the Scripture that guides the specific decisions we make about reopening, or decisions for each congregant about when to attend church.
For some, COVID-19 is little more than a flu. They may feel excited to begin church again, and have little concern regarding the disease or taking personal precautions.
For others, however, they are in a higher risk category, or would like to guard themselves from the potential for getting the disease. They may also wish to protect high risk loved ones who could be affected.
Either of these responses is completely valid. There are no verses that inform our response to COVID-19, and so these responses fall into the category of conscience.
Love and honor
Regardless of how each conscience is informed, as we begin the process of reopening, our love for one another over these conscience issues is far more important than the disease itself.
We must remember that, when it comes to conscience issues, we are called to love each other as brothers, and to outdo one another in showing honor.
This disease has caused strong opinions on every side. If we turn against one another in judgment and critique each other, the damage to the church will be far greater than what was caused by the disease itself!
We must outdo one another in showing honor for each other. We must love one another with brotherly affection. These, rather than the specific logistics of our next meeting, are the commands we must obey during this season.
Guarding the heart
The danger, of course, is not ONLY that we speak words of judgment. We are generally wise enough to keep our mouths closed and not express our thoughts.
The greatest danger is for us to think judgmental thoughts, and dishonor each other in our hearts, over a conscience issue.
Instead, we must guard our hearts. We must remember that thoughts of judgment in areas of conscience are sinful, and we must repent of those and love and honor one another instead.
Aren’t you so glad for the blood of Christ?
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by Jason Park
1 John 1:7 says it “cleanses us from all sin.” This is the blessing we receive from the point of salvation on as we enter into fellowship with God (1 Jn 1:6).
Isn’t there so much sin left in us? So much impatience, grumbling, coveteousness, envy, impure lust, anger…so much wickedness remains (Jas 1:21).
I saw someone tear down a public official on a live stream today. She was so incensed by this official’s actions that she publicized her home address so that people could go there and presumably protest on her front yard. Watching this person get so angry made me sad…but it also aroused pride and self-righteousness. What is she doing? turned into I would never do that. Maybe I wouldn’t act that way in public. But I can and do act that way in the privacy of my own heart while maintaining a good face.
So, how can I think I’m better than her, or anyone else?
I’m not! There is so much filthiness left in me. Who do I think I am? Self-saved? Self-sanctified? Sadly, I sometimes think this way when I disconnect from the reality that I am saved by grace alone.
Jesus’ blood is the only reason I am who I am. It’s the only reason I know the gravity and evil of my sin. It’s the only reason I want to and can fight the good fight of faith. It’s the only reason I know that the sin that still dwells in my flesh will one day be no more.
My Father is still working on me. And when I realize how insidious my sins are, then I know how much further He has to go. But He is going. And that brings so much hope and comfort in the thick of the battle.
I hope you’re staying encouraged during this season…to fight sin with faith in His promises…to say “No” to evil by His grace…and to repent and receive His forgiveness when you fail to walk as He walks. Jesus’ blood never fails to cover, to cleanse, and to cause you to stand firm in His grace.
Getting More out of the Bible
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by Jason Park
I’ve been in the Psalms lately for my quiet times. And each time I open to one, the Lord teaches me something new or shows me new connections, even with the psalms I’m more familiar with. This reality is true for all believers. It’s one of the Spirit’s graces to shed more light on the Bible whenever we read it.
This ministry is so vital because left alone to read and study, we would quickly find the Bible boring and repetitive. But as the Spirit in us sheds light on a text, we see truths afresh – both in their meaning and in their applications to our lives. New layers of truth already in a passage, and new applications for our lives.
We’re finite creatures, so we often have a hard time seeing the “more” that’s already in the Bible. But by the Spirit through the Bible…
· we can learn new truths (John 14:26)
· we can re-learn or remember old truths (1 John 2:20, 27)
· we can grasp the deep things of God in the gospel (1 Cor 2:11-16)
· we can be convicted of sin and righteousness (John 16:8-11)
· we can discern truth from error (1 John 4:2-6)
· we see the glory of Christ and be transformed by it (2 Cor 3:18; 4:6)
The Spirit’s ministry in us through the Bible is immense! We should be grateful. We should rejoice. We should take comfort in His work.
And we should be expectant. Whenever we open our Bibles, let’s prayerfully wait on the Spirit to work His Word in our hearts as we read it…as we believe it.
He will perform nothing less than wonders.
Satan: Fighting Fire with Water
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by Jon Buck
“…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” ~ Eph. 6:16
As we continue thinking about ways that Satan can attack the children of God, we come to the instruction found at the end of Ephesians regarding the armor of God.
Paul tells the Ephesian church to ‘take up the shield of faith’ to extinguish the flaming arrows that Satan shoots at us.
The Arrows
Battle in the ancient world included archers. Arrows were often soaking in pitch and then lit on fire and shot into opposition ranks. The arrows would not only injure or kill the soldier, but would light his clothing on fire, thereby rendering him completely helpless.
The question, of course, is what are the ‘flaming arrows’ that Satan is throwing at God’s people?
There are a number of possible solutions to this question, but the text doesn’t give us an answer. Instead, Paul simply tells us what to do to quench these flaming arrows.
The Shield
The word used here for the shield of faith comes from the Greek word for ‘door’. The shield being described was the height of a man, with double-thick wooden planks, covered with cow hide.
The shields were soaked in water prior to battle, and used as defensive protection when volleys of arrows were fired.
Faith and Doubt
Paul’s instruction to believers is to have faith—their own personal trust in God and His promises—as the means of extinguishing the arrows shot at them by Satan.
If faith extinguishes the arrows, they must be associated in some way with doubt—doubt about God, about His character, and about His love.
What might these arrows be?
Is God really good?
Does God love me?
Is God with me in this trial?
Etc.
But faith in God and His love for us extinguishes these doubts quickly. And the water that puts out the flames of doubt is the certainty that if God sent His Son to die for our sins, certainly He will care for us in every other way!
So, take up the shield of faith. Remind yourself that God loves you in spite of the difficulties you’re facing. Refuse to give into doubt. And go back to the cross where your sins - past, present and future - were paid in full!
Pastor Q&A Part 2
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By Jon and Jason
Satan: Hungry, Roaring, Angry Lion
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by Jon Buck
“…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith…” ~1 Peter 5:8-9
Continuing our consideration of Satan’s attacks, Peter informs us that Satan is like a vicious lion, seeking someone to devour.
This isn’t a happy picture, is it? If you’ve ever watched a nature documentary and seen a lion attack a gazelle, lions are scary.
Peter’s audience had seen convicts and prisoners of war devoured by lions during the Roman games. This imagery was all too familiar.
Eating faith
Satan, however, doesn’t seek to devour the body. Instead, Peter says that the way to resist him is to stand firm in faith. In other words, Satan wants to make a meal of our faith. And in the verse just before, Peter explains the very thing that Satan wants to tear out of us.
Satan wants us to stop believing that God cares for us!
He wants us to doubt God’s love, to doubt God’s goodness, to doubt God’s presence and care in our lives.
Faith and fear
Satan knows that if we stop trusting that God loves us, we will turn to anxiety, and anxiety is a breeding ground for all kinds of sins. When we are anxious, we take matters into our own hands, act in selfishness, and serve ourselves, rather than others. We stop loving others, and seek to protect ourselves. Anxiety becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of sins!
So how do we battle this fear, and fight off Satan? Simply trust that God cares for us. He loves us. He is for us, and will never leave or forsake us!
And, gloriously, He sent His Son into to the world to demonstrate His love for us by dying in our place while we were yet sinners. If He would do that, He will certainly care for our daily lives!
Faith in the love of God is like a 3 inch thick glass wall. Satan, the hungry, roaring, angry lion, can’t get through, and our souls are safe!
The Real Jesus
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by Jason Park
The Youth Group just finished our series in 1 John the other day. In that letter, John ends with one of the more curious closing sentences in the New Testament: “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (5:21). Curious because he hasn’t mentioned idols one time prior to this verse.
But as you backtrack through the letter, you realize what an appropriate conclusion it is. The idols aren’t physical statues or the idols of the heart; they’re the idols of a false Christ and a false gospel. Idols of denying Jesus as the Messiah (2:22), denying the humanity of Christ (4:2), or denying the real death of Christ (5:6-12).
Anything that distorts the true Christ is an idol born out of a spirit of error in the world from the devil, devised to detract us from worshiping Christ in spirit and in truth – which is our salvation and the key to our joy.
The real Jesus is the true God and eternal life (5:2). He is our Advocate (2:1). He is our propitiation (2:2). He laid down His life in love for us (4:16). He keeps. us from the evil one (5:18). The Word of life took on flesh and manifested His glory to us so that we can have fellowship with Him and with the Father (1:1-3).
So, don’t reduce Him to a theological lesson. Don’t make Him out to be a distant, abstract deity. Don’t strip away His flesh and blood so that He’s functionally not real in your life. Don’t cheapen the glory of the real Jesus.
Instead, sink your teeth into the real Jesus everyday. How? By opening yourself up to Him in His Word. Let Him love you. Let Him feed you. Let Him so fill you with Himself that you can’t help but embody Him in your life.
One day, all we’ve known of Him by faith will turn to sight. And the mere sight of Christ’s loveliness will change us so that “we will be like Him” (3:2). So, guard the real Jesus in your hearts, guard your affections for Him, guard your thoughts about Him…He is more than worth it.
Satan's Scheme: Refusing to Forgive
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by Jon Buck
“…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” ~ 2 Cor 2:11
When we think of Satan, we often conjure up images that appear in cartoons…red suit, pitch fork, pointy tail, etc. And when we think of his work in the world, we might be tempted to think of things that are overtly satanic, like the occult.
But Satan is far more crafty than to tempt us with things that we can clearly see as satanic. He doesn’t tempt us with things that are obviously bad. Instead, he hides bad things under righteous robes.
Paul’s wisdom
Paul understood Satan schemes, and he wanted the Corinthians to understand them, too.
He tells them that he has forgiven an offending brother (for a history on this man, check out 1 Cor. 5:1-5) for the sake of Christ. The man had clearly repented (the ‘sorrow’ of 2 Cor 2:5).
Rather than hold on to ‘justice’ in this case, Paul affirms their forgiveness and offers his as well, choosing to protect the church against Satan’s schemes.
Because he understood how Satan works, he knew that holding onto a grudge against a repentant person would result in chaos and danger for the church. Temptation to self-righteousness and factionalism would be rampant. And so Paul offers his heartfelt forgiveness to that brother.
Why Satan hates forgiveness
Why would Satan hate forgiveness? The answer should be painfully obvious.
Forgiveness is precisely what God Himself has offered to the world through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is particularly divine (Matt. 6:12, Eph. 4:32).
When believers forgive one another, offenses are removed, and unity is established and protected.
However, when offense remains, sin runs rampant. Pride and self righteousness masquerade as ‘justice’. Condemnation of others hides under a veneer of ‘discernment’. Eventually, unity is destroyed and the glory of God in the church is tarnished.
No wonder Satan hates forgiveness!
Fighting Satan
So, how can we fight Satan? We can win the battle by offering forgiveness and love to everyone who offends us. No matter the offense, forgiveness disarms Satan. Love for enemies produces peace, and a witness of the Gospel (John 13:35).
So, if you have someone in your life that has offended you, do the very opposite of what Satan would want…Love them. Forgive them. Do for them what God has already done for you!
How Not to be a Mule
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by Jason Park
