The Peace of God
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subjective subject to bondage [to sin]” (Hebrews 2:14).
God is omnipotent; all power resides with, and belongs to Him. He does not give, or loan His power to His creatures. Fallen angels and mankind seek to usurp God’s power by willful disobedience or through rebellion. Lucifer/Satan gains his “power” through disobedient men and by wielding his superior knowledge over them.
When Satan was banished from the presence of God in heaven he became powerless. Prior to his fall (when “iniquity was found in him”), Satan only had authority from God to perform his part in the creation. After his fall, the knowledge he had, which mankind is not privy allowed him to deceive mankind. This knowledge he transformed into power through guile.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).
It is that evil spirit which Satan uses to gain dominion over mankind. For this reason God gives the Christian “(weapons of… warfare that are not carnal; but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when… obedience is fulfilled.” (II Corinthians 10:4-6)
When Satan deceived Adam and Eve dominion was by default forfeited to him through their sin. By abdicating their responsibility to his authority, the first humans put themselves into servitude to the enemy. “While [he promised] them liberty, they themselves [became] the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (II Peter 2:19). Through Adam and Eve Satan was issued authority over their actions and all their fallen race. Mankind fell into the trap of sin and the world became corrupted.
Through disobedience and rebellion humanity continues to give Satan power over them. Through willing cooperation, through defiance in ignorance, or even through passiveness mankind gives Satan power over him. There is no choice; those who do not choose to serve God serve His enemy. Jesus Said, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathers not with me scatters” (Luke 11:23). Therefore, victory over both sin, and it’s master comes only through the One who has power over both sin and the result of sin, which is death.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory; The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law” (I Corinthians 15:55-56).
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8).
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid” (Romans 6:15)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8: 1-4).
“For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4).
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:27).
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6).
“The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
“The Spirit [Him]self bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).
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