The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"A Vivid Contrast"
If Satan could create, would he give his creatures freedom? Or would he desire and require the control all things for his own pleasure and purpose?
The Biblical answer clearly indicates a far less than all powerful devil would dominate all things, with no possibility of deviation from his will. Consider the Biblical accounts of those possessed by devils who harmed themselves despite the fact that "no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth it and cherisheth it" (Ephesians 5:29; Mark 5:5). The god of such people forces them to do things clearly not of their own devising. Thus, we can surmise that if the devil could create, he would utterly coerce, with no possibility of his wicked will not being done. The Apostle Paul confirms by declaring that those who fall into the devil's snare are "taken captive by him at his will" (II Timothy 2:26).
Contrast this with the living and true God of Scripture. He creates two races of beings with freedom - angels and humans - and sees one third of the former and all of the latter rebel against Him (Revelation 12:4; Romans 3:23). According to His infinite knowledge, He knows this will happen before He creates, but nevertheless proceeds with His purpose because in accordance with His nature, He must give real freedom to conscious beings in order to be faithful to Himself, and just to them (Psalm 89:14). Moreover, He knows His own wisdom, power, involvement, and love well enough to be sure He can fulfill "the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus the Lord" despite allowing literally trillions of rebellious and disobedient actions by the creatures He made (Ephesians 3:11).
Most significantly, God knew that creating angels and humans would lead to the suffering death of His beloved Son, and His execution of wrath against Him: "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). He created nevertheless because it was the perfect thing to do in accordance with His character, nature, and way (II Samuel 22:31). He made us in full knowledge of the cost to Himself because He so desired real relationship with human hearts. Thereby those who believe in the Lord Jesus enter into a genuinely provided and received fellowship of love where God's heart and our own forever abide in joyous and mutual devotion. "We love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19).
Such glory could never ensue in the devil's creation. As Satan-led and empowered dictators of history and the present day confirm, our enemy dominates rather than draws, as does our Lord (John 8:32). Indeed, weakness must always act in such a manner. The true and living God, conversely, is so glorious, wondrous, and powerful that He leads fallen hearts to Himself by His Spirit, His Word, and the testimony of His church that the Lord Jesus is the Savior of all who will come to Him by faith. How He does this comprises a mystery so great that the Savior likened it to the origin and destiny of the wind (John 3:7-8). Thus, we waste no time seeking to understand that which is beyond our comprehension, but rather proclaim the Christ who died for human hearts, and the Gospel the assures all who believe of forgiveness, newness of life, and an eternity in the sublime presence of the love of God. Little wonder the Apostle John proclaimed the transcendent power of God over an enemy who exposes his weakness by coercion. Thereby, a fallen and doomed devil provides a vivid contrast of how the living and almighty God works in human hearts to lead us by love unto Himself….
"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."
(I John 4:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.
(Philippians 1:9)
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