While we were studying the BE-Attitudes of Christ, I was consistently amazed at the depth and wisdom of each one. But the revelation of the last beatitude which explains how we can be greatly blessed even amidst the pain caused by our enemies—has perhaps been one of the greatest lessons God has ever taught me. The series has been so important and transformational to my walk with God that we made it a video series and our podcast is featuring it as well.
As the BE-Attitudes of Jesus grow within me, they are also opening my mind to better understand God’s Word.
For example, today I was reading in Galatians:
“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Galatians 1:3-5
God reminded me He has delivered me—NOT from the PRESENCE of evil—but from the POWER of evil.
This totally makes sense! We live in a world ruled by the prince of darkness. We are children of light. The presence of evil surrounds us but will not overpower us—unless we let it. If we want to live free from the power of evil, we must not allow it into our heart, our mind, our home, our family or any place where we have the power to keep it out. Remember, Jesus commanded us to pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13
People all around us are suffering under the power of evil. Without Jesus we are all powerless against evil. But when we are born again, we become carriers of the Gospel. Salvation by grace through faith is the only way to experience deliverance from the evil power of this present age.
My friend, if you are experiencing oppression from evil—you do not have to live powerless. If you have been born again, then Jesus lives in you. The Bible says we are MORE than conquerors through CHRIST:
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:31-32, 35, 37-39
We were created for God’s glory; when He is our center—and when our primary purpose is to glorify Him—we ARE free from the power of evil.
Jesus promised us glorious freedom and He always makes good on His promises:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:34-36
Jesus delivered us from the POWER of darkness and has given us the light of His presence which is GREATER than the presence of darkness.
