| Day 85: The Devil Destroyed? |
|
| |
 The reading for day 85 was Hebrews and James.
2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Jesus came in the flesh and died so that the devil would be destroyed. So...has this been accomplished? Jesus died right? So has this goal been met? Is the devil destroyed? If so, in what sense? If not, then what does this passage mean and when will it be fulfilled? My personal opinion is that the devil has been destroyed at least in the sense that his power over death has been taken away from him by Jesus. What do you think?
I think that verse 11 of chapter 4 is very interesting. It says, 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
We should labor to enter rest. We have to keep working until we stop :-) This seems verys obvious but it must not be if we have to be told. If we keep on following after Christ, we will find rest. If we don't, we won't.
In chapter 12, the author of Hebrews write, 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Is this speaking of persecution or personal purity? I've normally associated this verse with persecution, but my most recent reading may have led me to believe otherwise. Immediately after this verse, the author goes into a teaching on God's discipline of His children. 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
This begs the question, what are we to resist? (v4) Are we to resist sin? I would say that is probably the correct answer. When we give in God disciplines us as we would our own children. Correction comes through pain administered by the hands of the father. How can we know when God is disciplining us or simply letting us go through a trial for refinement? I think this is different than James chapter 1 where he says, 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
One is the result of sin and the other is to improve our faith. What do you think?
4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.
I think that verse pretty much speaks for itself :-)
|
|
Follow this blog
