THE OPPOSITION OF SATAN
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
Satan is the god of this age. (II Corinthians 4:4). Satan gathers the seed that falls by the wayside. (Mark 4:15). The lake of fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41). The devil is accused of deceiving the whole world. (Revelation 12:9). Christ declared that no man could take the strong man’s house until first he had bound the strong man. (Matthew 12:29). Note the mission on which the Lord Jesus sent the apostle Paul: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Satan as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour. (I Peter 5:8 - Acts 26:18).
God will have all men to be saved. (I Timothy 2:4). God has one way by which believing sinners are saved in this age and dispensation of grace. That way is the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24). “By grace through faith”; “brought nigh to God by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:8 and 9 and Ephesians 2:13).
In Romans 1:16 we read that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth.
In I Corinthians 15:1 to 4 we read that the gospel by which the believing sinner is saved is the truth, that Christ died for our sins, that He was buried, that He was raised from the dead.
Now let us compare I Timothy 1:11 with II Corinthians 4:3 and 4: “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my (Paul’s) trust.” “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Satan is always on the alert. He is every active with tricks and devices with both sinners and saints.
So we see that Satan, the god of this age, does not want any sinner to believe the gospel and be saved. There is no other way for the sinner to be delivered from Satan’s power.
Note how far Satan will go to keep sinners from being saved: “And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” Just imagine the devil transformed into an angel of light to make religious people believe they are saved and on the way to glory when they are on the way to eternal perdition.
Satan is very tricky, a very dangerous deadly enemy.
What is the Christian’s part in this great redemptive work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 4:5 to 7).
Christians are to preach Christ and live Christ, thus giving to sinners the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Sinners cannot be saved unless they believe. They cannot believe unless they hear. (Romans 10:12 to 15). Knowing the terror of the Lord, Christians persuade men. (II Corinthians 5:11). For it is a fearful thing for a “Christless” sinner to fall into God’s hands. (Hebrews 10:26 to 32).
Christians are not to handle the Word of God deceitfully: “but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (II Corinthians 4:1 and 2). We are told in Revelation 12:11, of saints who overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
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