LET GOD ALWAYS BE IN CONTROL
I want to quote J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) this morning. An Evangelical Anglican Minister and writer and first Bishop of Liverpool U.K. He made this statement.
NOTHING WHATEVER, WHETHER GREAT OR SMALL, CAN HAPPEN TO A BELIEVER WITHOUT GOD’S ORDERING AND PERMISSION. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CHANCE, LUCK OR ACCIDENT IN THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY THROUGH THIS WORLD. ALL IS ARRANGED AND APPOINTED BY GOD. AND ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BELIEVER’S GOOD.
I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A 100% BIBLICAL STATEMENT
There are too many Christians who are more devil conscious than Christ conscious. The Bible clearly tells us that satan’s power and authority was TOTALLY BROKEN when Jesus was crucified and rose again, and some Believers give him an authority that he no longer possesses. We know he hates the Church, and does not want any Believer to be victorious, and Peter reminds us “The devils walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV All he can do is roar and Christians who are ignorant of their inheritance in Christ sadly gives the enemy an authority that he no longer possesses.
WHAT MUST THE NEW COVENANT BELIEVER DO?
James gives us the key in James 3:7 therefore SUBMIT to God, RESIST the devil and he will FLEE from you. NKJV
James echoing the words of Paul in Romans 12:1 Believers MUST learn to the live the SURRENDERED LIFE. (continually) and on that basis, when he roars at us we RESIST him and he MUST run away.
WHAT DOES JAMES MEAN WHEN HE SAYS WE MUST RESIST?
- We must PUT on the whole armour of God Ephesians 6:11-18, all 7 pieces of armour and learn to use them.
- We must recognise we have been given an authority to use THE NAME OF JESUS.
- Confess the Word of God (the Sword of the Spirit) against him for example confess 1 John 4:4 He who is in me is GREATER the he who is in the world NKJV or Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us NKJV
- We must seek to WALK IN THE LIGHT ( of the Word of God and our conscience) 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin. NKJV
If you foolishly NOT do these things, then you make yourself a candidate for attack.
The devil hates the blood of Jesus, he hates the Name of Jesus, and he sure hates the Word (rhema) of God.
Many Believers when they read Ryle’s statement would initially disagree, because that is not their experience, but we build our lives NOT on experience but on what the Word of God says. That is why I have written this blog to confirm the truth of Ryle’s statement and emphasising the importance of Believers knowing who they are in Christ and what they have as an inheritance in Christ now. Let us declare “we are KEPT by the power of God through faith. 1Peter 1:5 NKJV and:
And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28 NKJV
This may almost be new teaching to some of my readers, if you want clarification on any of the above please ask me.
May you have a fantastic week of blessing and victory.
