THE STANDOFF

THE STANDOFF

READ:

1 John 4:1-6

He who is in you is greater

than he who is in the world.

-1 John 4:4

When a local bookstore rearranged its shelves, I noticed an increase in the number of titles relating to sorcery and witchcraft.  In fact, the religion section had become a virtual “standoff” between light and darkness.  Christian titles flanked one side of the aisle, while roughly the same number of occult books lined the other side.

Sometimes we may think of God and Satan in the same way I thought of the books in that bookstore.  We see them as opposing but equal forces with the same unlimited power.  However, God is God and Satan is not.  God is stronger than any force of darkness.  He does what He pleases (Psalm 135:6), while Satan’s power is limited to what God allows.  When Satan supposed that misfortune would make Job curse God, God told Satan, “Behold, all the [Job] has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (Job 1:12).  Satan had to play by God’s rules.

Because God is in charge over everything, as Christ’s followers we don’t need to be paralyzes by fear of Satan’s power over our lives or the lives of the believers around us.  He tempts us and tries to influence us, but the Bible assures us, “He who is in [us] is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). –Jennifer Benson Schuldt

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem,

And crown Him Lord of all! –Perronet

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The powers of evil around you are no match

for the power of Jesus within you.

INSIGHT

John, “the disciple Jesus loved,” also loved others.  He speaks with warmth and affection as he addresses the followers of Christ to whom he is writing.  In the first verse of chapter 4, John calls them “Beloved.”  This term of endearment is a form of the word agape, the highest form of love.  He views his friends as not just “beloved,” but highly and dearly loved.  In verse 4, he speaks to them as “little children.”  This is the term that refers to infants, who are to be tenderly loved, passionately protected, and fully cared for.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace