Forgiven

September 18, 2022

Devotions:

            “and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

         “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” ‭Colossians‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

           How did Jesus disarm principalities and powers, the enemy?  What was the weapon that Jesus took away from the enemy? It was all of our sins, when He had paid the full price for them and had declared us righteous with His righteousness. Then the devil no longer had any sway over us. He could no longer claim that our Father God no longer loved us and we were destined for punishment for eternity.

          If we refuse the gracious offer of our Father for total forgiveness then we are headed for eternal punishment. Our Father does not want this so He went to extreme pain, humiliation and suffering to redeem us. God does not send anyone to hell. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. We go there by choice when we refuse God’s loving offer and align with Satan rather that God. That is why repentance e is turning to God from our own efforts to cleanse ourselves. We cannot cleanse ourselves, only God can. When we appear to put away sin, it is a useless effort of the works of the flesh. We must turn to God for our total sufficiency. When we try to do by ourselves to try to appease God, Satan still has us in his deception, we are still in his snare. When we understand that God has done it all in Christ Jesus and look to Him we are set free.

          “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32, 34-36‬ ‭ESV‬‬